Jolinda Wade, basketball superstar Dwyane Wade’s mother, wasn’t always the person she is today. She had a rough upbringing, but God turned her life around. You can see her journey in the video, according to BCNN1 on Feb. 19.
Jolinda Wade grew up on Chicago’s South side, in a rough neighborhood. By the time she was in 8th grade, she had started drinking to keep up with her peers. And by the time she was 18, she already had two children.
In 1977, she met and married Dwyane’s father, and had two more children. They broke up four months later. Jolinda moved to her mother’s with her children and started dealing drugs to support her drug habit.
She would get high in the presence of her children. She felt sorry for living like she did in front of her children.
Dwyane went to live with his father, and he would take him to play basketball; and when Dwyane would visit his mom, she would take him to play basketball also.
Turning Point
In 1994 Jolinda was arrested. Dwyane visited her in jail. She asked God to please take care of him and forgive her…
In 1998, Jolinda was on a work release program, she escaped and lived as a fugitive. One of her daughter’s found her in an abandoned building. She said she was hurting for her mother.
She weaned herself off heroin and alcohol in 3 days; November no more cigarettes, December, she turned herself back in and completed her sentence.
She received an encouraging letter from Dwyane stating she was his hero. She found God in jail. She accepted God’s forgiveness.
In 2003 she was released from jail. She went to Dwyane’s basketball game in Wisconsin where he played at Marquette in the 'Final Four;' she was extremely proud of him.
For the past 10 years, now, Pastor Jolinda Wade, has been free of drugs and alcohol.
Dwyane bought her a $2 million church in Chicago where she grew up. She is reconciled with her family and children, and life couldn’t be better.
You can read more about Pastor Jolinda Wade in her book, "Divine Grace Behind The Walls."
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