Tragedy and Triumph

So I've often wondered why for some people, life seems to come easy. All goes according to plan, things fall into place. It seems unfair that some people seem to have everything, and others--often those who we would think deserve it the most, have to struggle. A friend once explained it that God sometimes let's us face hard times so we come to know him in a deeper way, so that we grow in our knowledge of Him. One wonders if you come to a point where you can't grow any more.

I've also heard it said that God has the right to break a vessel to show what he has poured into it. Because only in our brokenness does our true source of strength show.

So this guy, my prom date, has had an eventful time of it since high school. And the happy events of college, and marriage and going to seminary and having a baby girl might have been overshadowed by tragic events such as an accident, the death of his wife, and multiple injuries to recover from...but for the grace of God.

God promises us that he won't give us more than we can handle. I have no doubt that his promise is true--but sometimes I wonder about what he thinks one man can handle.

My friend told me of what had happened to him, and turns around and asks me what he can pray for me about. He says that he has seen the hand of God provide at every turn. He finds the good. He seeks to be a blessing to others.

And I'm amazed. At his faith. To see someone who has come through the fire and come out still praising God on the other side is quite a beautiful sight to see.

my almost high school sweetheart

So I didn't like high school. Well, maybe I did. But I didn't like high school nearly as much I liked college. I always liked the school work, and I had some good friends--I guess it was the politics of high school I never liked. The popular and the not so popular..I made it by in high school.

One of the highlights of my senior year was a guy who was in my economics class. He was looking at some of the same colleges I was, and he was terribly funny. Shy.. quiet--but funny. He'd make snide comments in class under his breath so I could hear them and I would laugh--usually loudly.

He threw on the track & field team. I managed the girls team. He'd give me rides home from meets. I always had such a fun time when I was with him. Something about him put me at ease...made me forget my awkwardness. I found a journal entry from high school and one of the things on my list of things to do was to get him to pay attention to me.

So imagine my elation when one afternoon, after a meet, in his car, outside my house, before I went in.. he asked if I'd like to do something with him sometime. And I said sure! and after he drove away? I did a little dance of joy on my driveway.

And we went to the movies, and to a fast food place afterward. And it was great. And about a week or two later, he called me up and asked me to the prom. And I was elated again...

And prom was just lovely. I mean, as lovely as awkward teenage rituals can be. I found friends during the fast dances, and went back and found him for every slow dance. I don't remember all the details of the night, but I loved being there with him.

Awhile later, after graduation, possibly the following year, I came into some preseason football tickets. And since he was practically the only guy I knew who liked football at the time, I called him up. And we went. We got lost on the way, and he got frustrated, but we went. And had a great time, from what I remember.

And then I lost touch with him. I saw him briefly after college at a retail store where I was working, but nothing more.

Imagine my surprise when he found me on Facebook a few months ago. And was single.

Still breathing

I was informed by my dear big brother that I've been remiss at blogging as of late. I'm sure he's the only one that has noticed, but just in case he's not, I'd like to say that I'm still alive and kicking, and should have something to say soon.

Sometimes it's a matter of having too much to say and not knowing where to start. Maybe I'll start at the very beginning...a very good place to start.