Miracles, Signs and Wonders

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"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You— I whom You have delivered." —Psalm 71:23

At just four years old, Jianna entered my life on May 6, 2022—a quiet, withdrawn child, unable to speak, connect, or express joy. Diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum, her world was small and filled with overwhelming challenges. She communicated only through sounds—making monkey noises when eating a banana—and struggled with tantrums, sensory sensitivities, and rigid routines.

Her eating habits were also limited to just four routine meals. I soon realized she had been given food options based solely on her preference for sweet things. Changing her diet wasn’t easy—at first, she rejected healthier foods because they weren’t part of her norm. But with patience, love, and consistency, we gradually replaced sugary treats with vegetables, whole grains, and water. Over time, she embraced this new lifestyle, and we witnessed her behavior improve daily.

Some days were tough, but through it all, God’s grace, mercy, guidance, and strength sustained me. I look at her now and can’t help but be grateful beyond words for the transformation He has brought into her life.

From the very first day, I filled our home with worship music. To my amazement, the next morning, Jianna started singing along to “More, more” by Joann Rosario—a breakthrough moment that became the foundation of her healing journey. Worship became her therapy, opening the door for her to learn essential skills, including:

• Asking and answering questions
• Saying her name, age, and birthday
• Developing life skills and independence
• Sounding out words and reading Scriptures posted on the walls around the house

We noticed that as she took a leap in reading and singing daily, her fluency skyrocketed. Reading became her passion; soon, it was all she wanted to do. She would sit for hours, immersed in books, soaking in every word.

When tantrums came, sometimes lasting hours, at times frustration arose, but through the Lord's strength, I remained loving and patient. Through clear instructions, redirection, and structured countdowns, love and consistency, she learned boundaries and self-regulation. Once a battlefield of meltdowns, grocery store trips became peaceful victories.

I didn’t rely on therapy, medications, or a psychiatrist. Instead, God equipped me with everything I needed—through his leading and guidance, with my experience working with children on the spectrum, faith, structure, and unconditional love. Within a year, her teachers were in awe. Jianna transitioned from a self-contained classroom to a regular one with support—a living testament to the power of a stable, loving home.

Two months ago, Jianna came to me and said, “Mom, my name is Joy, not Jianna.”

I asked her why.

With simple confidence, she responded: “Because I am Joy.”

At that moment, I saw the full picture of God’s transformation in her life. She had truly discovered that the joy of the Lord is her strength.

Today, Joy Faith Reeves is a living, breathing, singing miracle. She loves to pray, read God’s Word, memorize Scripture, and boldly recite Scripture in youth Sunday service before the congregation—with confidence, courage, and joy.

Her story is a testament to what God can do through faith, intentionality, and unconditional love. She is a reminder of why I answered the call to care for children like her—and why my mission to rescue, empower, and transform lives through faith is unstoppable.

Because when God writes the story, healing is inevitable.