In The Twinkling Of An Eye

Well it?s been another wild and crazy week at the Byrd house, sickness, surgery, golf trip, and a tragedy in the middle of the night. Sounds like the makings of another novel, doesn?t it? Yes, these things really happened this week. Real life stories are sometimes much more unbelievable than fiction.


I?ll start with my daughter. She had a much-needed operation last week. She is doing great, just a few weeks of rest to recoup and she?ll be fine. Meanwhile, I was full time mom to my granddaughter for several days. I know why God intended for young people to have kids, because grandmas like me are worn out! But I loved every minute of it. Each second I?m given with the only grandchild I?ll ever have, fills me with an indescribable amount of joy. I?m blessed and I know it!


After living with my husband Jerry for over thirty years, I thought I knew all the terms that were associated with that little white thing called a golf ball. Bogie, double bogie, shank, slice, par, eagle? But then after Jerry came home from a three-day golfing trip to Pinehurst, a new term was added to my vocabulary, double eagle! Jerry was so excited. Of course not knowing what a double eagle was; it took me a few minutes to join in the celebration. I asked, ?What?s a double eagle?? ?What?s a double eagle?? he says. ?Well, it?s about the best shot you can make in golf. If the hole is a par 5 and you get it in the hole in 2 strokes, then that?s a double eagle.?


Oh yea, that made sense! Jerry went on to tell me that the golf course owners had never seen that happen on their course, so I suppose it was a big deal. What a wonderful time of fun and fellowship Jerry has with his golfing buddies, having a bounty of friends to share our pleasures and sorrows with is truly one of life?s greatest gifts. Laughter is by far the best medicine. But sometimes the distress and grief we experience in life make it very hard to see any reason to be merry.


While spending the night with my daughter and granddaughter on Saturday night, a loud noise woke me around 4:30 am. I thought my recouping daughter had fallen. After checking to see that she was all right, I looked out the window and saw a vehicles light in the neighbors yard across the road. A phone call confirmed a vehicle was indeed in their yard, and it was lying on its side. While my daughter dialed 911 I jerked my clothes on and headed out the door to the scene of the accident.


Four other neighbors already stood vigil over the poor gentleman who had been thrown from the vehicle. He lay on the cold, damp ground, motionless. Two of the ladies present were registered nurses and they just shook their heads, saying it?s bad, real bad. What a helpless feeling to be with someone in need and know there is nothing you can do for him or her. I knew the only thing I could do was pray. My thoughts were spinning? did the man know the Lord as his Savior?? Who was he? Why was he out so early in the morning? Did he have a wife and children at home wondering where he might be??Then his cell phone rang, confirming there was someone out there who loved this man and was worried about his where a bouts.


The sun rose that morning just like it always had, the dawn of a new day revealed the mangled steel of a red Ford truck. First hitting a mailbox, then plowing into a large oak tree, the F-150 came to rest on its side. Debris was scattered across the grass of my daughter and her neighbor?s lawn.


EMS workers were diligently doing their job, cleaning up the aftermath of this fatal accident. Papers and personal items were everywhere. Pieces of the truck were strewn all over the place. A folding lawn chair, still in its canvas bag lay in front of me. Then I saw it. An EMS worker held it in his hand. It was a black leather bound book. The man held the volume up for his co-workers to see. For the first time since I came upon the scene a slight smile brightened my face.


A feeling of relief came over me. The man was a believer; my heart felt lighter and my worry for him eased. I can only hope and pray that his family will find comfort in that leather bound volume, the book that holds all the truths of the world and the key to everlasting life. Death will someday swallow us all. It may come to us as quickly as the blink of an eye or we may linger in pain as a disease ravishes our body. Either way there is peace? if you only believe.


1 Corinthians 15: 52

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.



{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Sherry Neely May 4, 2011 at 12:39 pm

Thank you, Sarah, for your blog about Jesse’s accident. I had wondered what had happened myself. I have known him for years, since he was my son’s boy scout leader back in 2000. I really enjoyed reading it and everything you posted about your feelings of sympathy for the victim. It was truly touching.

Joyce Hincher May 4, 2011 at 6:19 pm

Sarah, thank you for the blog about Jesse, it is good to know that he was a Godley man and everyone I’ve spoken to, speaks well of him.

Rita May 4, 2011 at 9:58 pm

Sarah,
Thank you for reminding me what we already know. Things can change in a blink of an eye. I sat and read your blog with cold chills and tears. But with a renewed sense of how important life and our loved ones really are!
Please keep writing!!!

Starr May 5, 2011 at 11:27 am

wow, Sarah. I see the power of the Holy Spirit all in this blog. I believe your work is bringing others into the fold. I truly sense that God is using your writings to His glory! May His Light continue to Shine thru you!

Although I did not know the gentleman, I can just imagine what you felt to be awakened to such a horrific accident. Prayers that God will hold his family close.

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