Testimony of Cecil Houston

In 1998, I was working on my bachelor’s degree in music education. I became ill and went to the hospital’s emergency room. I informed the staff that I was having problems hearing and was told that I had a viral infection. I was given medicine and sent home.
After taking the medication for 10 days, I didn’t seem to be getting better. I then went to my family physician, and he examined me and referred me to an audiologist at LSU Medical Center. It was discovered that I had lost hearing in both ears. This was very stressful for me. I felt like music was what I had going for me, and I didn’t know what this would mean for my music career.
I had a lot of questions. I began praying, talking to God and researching on the Internet about my problem, but I never doubted that I would come out of this. During the time I experienced being deaf, I never stopped going to school. I completed the entire semester. I learned to read lips and I kept the faith. People were very patient with me. They would talk slower so I could understand. The choir, my family, I had everyone’s support. I even continued to play music by the grace of God.
God had brought me through many things in my life and I knew He would bring me through this. Even while going to school deaf and trying to read lips, I had no reservations. At the hospital, I was scheduled for surgery to have cochlear implants placed in my ears, which allowed me to hear again. It took time to get adjusted to the implant, but thankfully, what I had gone through was minor.
I’d like everyone to remember that no matter what you’re going through, God is still able to use you. The devil will try to create doubt and fear, but if you remain steadfast in your faith, God will see you through. One of the scriptures I stood on was “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I received my Bachelor of Music in 2001, my Masters in Administration Supervision in 2004, and I’m currently working on a Masters in Counselor Education. I was also blessed to move up in my employment at Southern University. I was a clerk when I first began working there and today, I am the assistant to the registrar.
This testimony originally appeared in The Gospel Magazine, published by Greater King David Baptist Church