Several years ago, I started writing this blog with the intent of educating people about the mystery of Lyme Disease, share my daily struggles so that fellow Lymies don’t feel alone, but most importantly to encourage readers that no matter what you are going through, God has a plan for your life, and even in your darkest hours, you can always find hope in Jesus. I’ve made significant improvements in regards to my health over the years and Lyme Disease has become more of a thorn in my side, in comparison to the daily battle it once was. So, the blogs have become few and far between.
However, in light of what’s happening in the world today – and after what my family witnessed yesterday, I feel the need to start writing again.
We live in a quiet neighborhood, on a cul-de-sac, with a bike trail that leads to the local park. Right in our backyard, we have softball fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, football field, a playground . . . you name it – it’s in walking distance from our home. This was a huge selling feature for me when we were looking for homes in the area. In the past few weeks, I’ve seen more families than usual walking dogs, going for jogs, playing ball – just trying to make the best of this situation we’ve all found ourselves in. However, the swings are no off-limits, the rims have been removed from the basketball nets . . . it feels like something out of a science fiction movie. But this is our reality.
My children went off to play their football game, next to the pavilion and abandoned playground while I started off on my run. After I circled the park once, I headed back to check on the kids, when I heard a frantic cry for help. Our eirie sci-fi movie was about to turn into a horror film. There was a man lying on the concrete just a few feet from my kids. His wife had just found him and was screaming for someone to call 911. As I approached the couple and dialed for help, I quickly looked the man up and down. I jumped to the conclusion that he had suffered from a heart attack and fell and hit his head. I was preparing myself to see a pretty bad head injury…. but to my surprise nothing.
Then I looked down and saw a pool of blood …. my first thought was that he had been shot. That’s when I saw the knife next to his hand, and the suicide note on the table.
This is a hard-working man, with a beautiful wife, two children, a dog . . . . We’ve known this family for years . . . my daughter has even had sleepovers at their house. This is your ideal all American family. But with the stress of possibly losing his job, the stress of this panic-stricken world we are living in right now, he felt hopeless.
As I laid in bed trying to wrap my brain around everything that we had experienced, I went to my bible. I have a One Year Bible that I keep by my bed and try to read every morning before I start my day. My plan was to re-read what I had read earlier, with the hopes that the Lord would settle my heart. To my surprise, I was a day behind, so I hadn’t actually read the passage for March 30th yet. So, I prayed and began to read.
I was so blessed by what I read and knew that it was time for me to start writing again.
I beg you . . . if you are struggling with fear, anxiety, or overwhelming feelings that are just too much to bear, PLEASE reach out to the only one who saves . . . the only one that can bring you peace beyond human recognition.
There is only one true God. And He loves you. Reach out to Him. In His arms, is the only place you will find hope.
Lyme. Autism. Alzheimer. Oh my! 