I live on the central west coast of Florida. We don’t have a lot of seasonal changes. Perhaps our most important signal that Late Fall is on us is when the Snow Bunnies start high tailing it down I-75 in a steady stream. (MAYBE more about the SB folk in another piece!)

As we move into our winter, we have another interesting quirk. One day, we run the air conditioner. Another day, we run the heat exchanger. Some days, we alternate a/c and heat. We don’t just get cold and stay cold for weeks and months. We fluctuate a lot. In fact, one way we identify our winter guests is by their bright red skin on a really chilly day (for us, at least). They’ll lie on the beach, shivering and shaking to get what they call a “tan”. You know, they came to Florida to get a winter tan and, by golly, they’re going to get it.

Adjusting to these changes is not all that difficult for us. We’re used to adjusting our thermostats depending on the rise and fall in temperature. Don’t we watch the weather on our nightly news? Duh! (g) Mostly, we watch the weather report, so we can see how much “clear to partly cloudy” has fallen on our extended family and friends! (g)

I teach a home Bible study group on Thursday evenings. We meet in various homes, changing locations each month. (This makes it tougher for new people and absentees to find us!!!) A week ago, I was on my way home. I approached the most accident-prone intersection in our county with a completely green light in view. It was dark and the street lights weren’t much help at that particular spot.

As I cleared the intersection, I noticed a fairly large, dark form in the shadows immediately in front of Tonka 02 (my truck). It first appeared to be a person. What to do? I had cars on my immediate right and stretched out behind me. The center turn lane was empty at the moment. Thank God for excellent reflexes. I swerved to the left and quickly swerved back into my own lane. As I zipped past the dark shape, I could see that it was a dark blue or green couch. Probably slid off the back of some fella’s pickup. As I looked in my rearview mirror, I noticed more headlights following my lead and swerving around the couch. Shortly, I saw the lights of a patrol car light up. Evidently, someone had notified them, possibly by cell phone, and the problem would be solved.

I wasn’t that frightened during the split second it took to miss the couch. Almost immediately afterward, I had a splitting headache. As I began to think about this experience, it dawned on me that life is kinda like my adventure. We must constantly adjust to change. Very often, the changes come slowly enough to allow us ample time to make the proper adjustments to the thermostat.

However, some of the events of our lives are not nearly as predictable nor easy to adjust. “Couches” in the middle of the road show up with little or no warning. How do we get through these times? Get back to me! I value your input! I’ll share the best responses in a future “Inside Out”.

Just use the “Leave a Reply” box below!

RESPONSES TO: “Michelle’s Home Going.”

– I just received and read your Inside Out about Michelle. Great story even though it has sad undertones. I have a friend who has a 6 year old sister that has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. No way to operate because of where it is and she has gone through chemo and radiation and the tumor shrunk 30-50%. Then all of a sudden she started slurring her speech, having difficulty walking and mood swings again. Yes, the tumor is growing again. They currently have her on a new medicine that will only give her a little more time.

Michelle’s story reminds us that even through our sadness we can find joy knowing that these little angels will no longer have to suffer and that God’s peace will sustain us if we allow Him to help us.

God bless you for your work and for showing His love and compassion to others. Please send our thoughts and prayers to Michelle’s family.

– Thanks very much for sending this. It’s important for us to know how to relate to someone in their last hours, when they may be out of touch with the world we are used to seeing.

– I just read Michelle’s Homegoing story. Thank you so much for sharing. Because of the “ministry” God has given me with very sick people, I have heard many stories like that one. I believe that God provides comfort to those left behind by helping them to know that He has called their loved one to a very REAL place with Him.

– You were correct about the tears, though I am a weeper anyway. As you have, I have been in attendance when a number of people have passed from this life to what is to come. I’ve seen some amazing things in that process. God’s faithfulness is awesome, especially in the death of those who love Him. Thanks much for sharing the story.

– What a beautiful story. There is no one who could read it without shedding a few tears because there is nothing hurts like losing a child. I know. I lost a son in a car accident 18 years ago. My other son was born on his birthday, Dec. 5th. They were 10 years apart but very good buddies. I still have my moments on Dec. 5th and always will have. The happy and the sad. Time doesn’t heal, but God gives me the strength to get through. Thank you for sharing this story.

Next Inside Out          Gallery              Previous Inside Out