1978--an emotional year for me, as a judge split custody of my two boys, so youngest Ron and I moved to Searcy where he attended Harding Academy and I worked full time and attended classes on lunch hour and at night for 2 years, but eventually went full time and brought my parents to live with me, although they had been divorced for 25 years.  Dad was crippled and Mom was manic-depressive.  Dad lived with me for two years, Mom for seven years.  Both buried in Searcy.

1979--daughter born to husband, but I did not know until her 1st Birthday.

1980--divorce final in May; he remarried in November but not to baby's mother; to a lady who owned the bar where baby's mother worked; found out about baby via celebration of her 1st by picture in paper sent to me by a church member from Louisiana.

1982--Ron was expelled in February and I allowed him to return to Louisiana to live with his father; I graduated with BA from Harding in May; Rick killed in June right after his high school graduation in a one car accident coming home from senior trip; Dad died July 5th; that was 2 and 1/2 weeks after Rick's death.  No more child support or alimony--on my own.  Began teaching at a junior high in Searcy, Arkansas.

1984--ex-husband died; left son 8 months old by 2nd wife; Ron's half-brother.

1986--Mom's twin died of heart attack; I graduated with Master's from Harding.

1987--Mom passes; moved to Jackson, Mississippi, but had wreck coming down for job interview, so moved in with 1/2 brother; three months later sister died; took an adjunct job with Hinds Comm. College; worked other part time jobs to make ends meet at Dillards, UMC Dept. of Neurosurgery as editor-writer, Books-A-Million, etc. while working on 3rd degree.  Lost my house in Searcy went back to mortgage company.

1988--Husband's mother dies in wreck; Ron's grandfather & 1/2 brother survive.

1989--Husband's brother dies; Ron's Uncle; emergency gall bladder surgery (me).

1990--Husband's father passes; took a full time job at UMC with Nursing School.

1991--Got a bad review (average) to me was bad, so turned in resignation as I did not want to work for people who did not appreciate me.

Feeling pretty low and in need of Rescue:

Went home to an apartment in South Jackson.  Went upstairs, went straight to bed, prayed, crying:  "God, you have just taken everyone away from me.  I don't have anyone left to talk things over with."  (Ron in college & didn't want to burden him)

Answer:  Immediately Ricky was in the room with me.  He bent over and kissed my cheek.  Held my hand.  My mind screamed:  "Ricky!"  I tried to talk to him, since I figured he was in heaven these last years since his car accident: "Have you seen your dad?"  No answer.  "Have you seen Mammaw?"  Nothing. "Have you seen Pappaw?"  No response.  "Have you seen Aunt Jo?  Uncle Glenn? Grandma?  Grandpaw?"  No answer to any of these questions.  So I stopped asking him & asked myself:  "How can I get Rick to talk to me?"  

Immediately I had the right question: "Have you seen God?"  This time he said, "He sent me to you."  Relief was immediate.  My soul was calmed.  We continued to converse and he answered my questions until I was sated & he was simply no longer with me in the room or in my mind.

Psychologists have a name for this:  vertical illusion.  However, I know God had his hand in my rescue to let me know I was not alone.  I had God's ear.  I hope this helps someone else who may feel abandoned---that we are not ever abandoned by God.  He is always near.  He knows every hair on our heads.  When we are most vulnerable and feel we cannot bear it, he will send angels to administer to us whether in living form or one from his own realm.  I know, for I've experienced it more than once.  Just ask me about my life.  I may surprise you....

—Sue Creel

Light: The candle of JOY 

Read: A little servant girl and the proud general, JSB p. 136 (2 Kings 5)


Ask: Describe a time when someone did something for you and didn’t want anything in return.

Pray: Thank God for the gift of Jesus.  Weep for those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Jesse Tree Ornament: Broken heart

Act: Go out to dinner and pay for a stranger’s meal, pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru, or pay for someone’s gas…