As my friend says, “you can't make this stuff up”.
The Beauty---On this beautiful day, November 11, 2016, I end my day at USI in my office having an awesome conversation with one of my students. The past week had been crazy busy for both of us, and we discussed how the week was coming to such a peaceful end. We would have some time to rest and breathe with no major events on the schedule this weekend. We then discussed a hodge-podge of topics…a job opportunity I came across for him (the real reason we met), disabled workers entering the work force, what we had endured in Canada during our case study trip, and steps in starting an NFP. I opened up and shared some of my past pains and my dreams for the future.
I told him one of the best decisions I ever made was when I chose to teach accounting at USI. Each day, I have many opportunities to influence so many young people and in return have been blessed with much from each of them. I rose from my desk and pointed out many of the special blessings from days gone by and shared memories of those special students with him. These are some of the moments that take your breath away.
He needed some sleep, and I was in need of an allergy shot so it was time to part. But before we left, I told him of a song that expressed how I was feeling this week, “Born Again” by Third Day and played it for him. As it was playing, he told me that Third Day was the first Christian Rock CD he had owned and mentioned his confirmation class years back. At the end of the song, I told him the song I was playing was by Third Day. He didn’t know I was playing Third Day; how cool is that moment.
The Beast---I was travelling home from the doctor’s office and I barely avoided a crash with a split second decision to hit the median while locking up breaks and turning a hard left at 55 mph, not knowing the outcome. Thankfully God was there. No lives lost, only the few nerves I had left gone. I told myself I had to pull it together and drive the rest of the way home because we had dinner plans at the Log Inn with family for my brother's birthday. I pull in the driveway hoping everyone was ready to go as I know the boys have been informed more than once this week. Then, one of my sons walks towards me telling me he's leaving on a date. Bad timing as I have no nerves left. I lose my mind too at that moment and go off on him when he says he didn't know about dinner. I am at that point, shaking, crying, screaming, etc. I honestly wished I could have been a 17 year old at the time so I could have just punched him in the face.
The Beauty---My other son grabs ahold of me and hugs me tight until I am somewhat calm again. My head hurts from the crash and argument so Austin pours me some water so I can take some medicine. We make it to dinner (with only one son) 30 minutes late, and we have a lovely feast with my family. What a blessing to be sharing my brother, Fred’s 53rd birthday. He has diabetes and an aneurysm near his heart so every day with him is a blessed day. My brother Fred is one of the good guys, and I hope we have many more years together. Later, back at home, I go to bed listening to Third Day. I finally shut it off, close my eyes and fall fast to sleep.
The Beast---SHABAM!!#. The iPad blares out a song, Consuming Fire by Third Day, and now I have been radically awakened by the noise. I should mention the iPad is in many shades of pink, green and purple and blurred because it was in my backpack when it flew across the back seat and slammed up against the door earlier in the evening. I shut down the iPad and returned to a state of sleep.
Beep, beep, beep…another alarm has awakened me at 3:00am. Last night it turned out to be the carbon monoxide alarm; tonight the fire alarm. While I am taking care of the beeping, I look into my son’s room and see he didn't come home last night. So, I call and text, no answer. So here I am posting my dramatic evening for the world to read so everyone knows you just can't control the Beauty and the Beast. Thankfully I received a text while writing this and now can get an early start with the #First5 weekend wrap up and my morning devotional time with God.
The Beauty---I know I must trust in Him. Jesus died on the cross just to be with you and me. There is beauty in knowing he lives through me each day in the spirit. Thank you for reading this piece. I pray you have gained hope, peace of mind, and most importantly the knowledge that God is in control. From his lips, "I am the Lord your God who holds your right hand, and I say to you do not be afraid. I will help you," Isaiah 41:13. And, never ever give up.
Your prayers would be much appreciated.
With all my love,
Jeanette Lytle