Nope, I Don’t Plan To

And why? Is it too dangerous, didn’t turn out well, hurt others, or did you just recognize that it was the wrong thing to do? Seeing this sign made me reflect on which choices in my life I would never repeat or want to repeat. Some were within my control and some were most definitely out of my control. I am sure the families of the passengers who lost their lives this week on plane crashes would never allow their loved ones to get on those planes. This tragedy was so much more heartbreaking with the families who lost multiple loved ones as ice skaters and a parent were both on that plane. The little girl from Mexico whose mom was with her and now had hope for her daughter’s future after life saving medical procedures could never have imagined that they would not make it home to their anxiously awaiting families.

The first event that popped into my mind was that I would not have welcomed Melvin into my home to borrow scissors. This neighbor came into my home and then held those scissors to my throat and I feared he would take not only my life but my sleeping, eight month old Cameron’s life as well. Thankfully, we both survived and Melvin was arrested a few days later. But the trauma has lasted a lifetime. He came up behind me and whispered in my ear. To this day almost forty years later, I can’t handle a whisper like that. 

What I know is most of the things we think of when we say what we would never do again are not so life changing but rather amusing. I would never eat level 2 green chili again. I would never shave my armpit in a way that would also take off half my eyebrow. I would never let Elissa put her gum covered hand out to pet a donkey on a hot summer day. I would never miss an opportunity to swim. I would never write a blog about my garlic mishap although other people’s chuckles may have been worth it. I would share my heart and faith with others whenever possible. 

I pray for the families who lost loved ones this week. Not only on the tragic air disasters but to illness, car crashes, suicide, or overdose. Loss is more difficult without faith. I cannot imagine losing our son, Ryan, to suicide and not knowing that not only would we see him again but that we had Jesus to walk hand in hand through the heartcrushing pain. Please know that if anyone has a loss recent or distant, my prayers are with you. If you leave a comment I will gladly send you my book detailing my journey through losing my son at no cost. I just need your address. Healing happens in community and although our loss may not be the same my story may provide you comfort. That is why I share them with people whenever God puts them in my path. So please accept this gift from me and read it or pass it on to someone who could benefit from it. 

In Him,

Joyful