A Few Thoughts About the Decade That Was...by Greg Snipes

  It seems like only yesterday when I was out in my grandfather’s field with a group of friends from high school waiting to welcome not just a new year, but a new decade AND a new millennium. As the bond fire flames blazed higher and higher during the final moments of 1999, we were focused on the hype that had been dominating the news in the months leading up to that night. Apocalypse, world-wide computer shutdowns, nation-wide power grid failures, and massive mayhem were expected as the year 2000 made its debut. Turns out that life managed to continue on without pause and the folks paid to get electronics equipment “Y2K compliant” laughed all the way to the bank. (Remember Matthew 24:36 where Jesus said even He doesn’t know when the end will come? Just a thought…)

  Later on in the spring of 2000, I met the love of my life, Mary Beth. As our relationship grew over the next year, we were overflowing with joyful anticipation of the life we were hoping to have together. We were so young then and that open road of opportunities lay before us. Those hopes and those dreams came to a tragic end on May 9, 2001. A drunk driver hit her head-on and the head trauma was so severe that she could not recover. She is unable to speak, walk, or talk and depends on others to take care of her basic needs to this day.

  After her family and my family suggested that I try to move on in the summer of 2003, it was the beginning of an agonizing process to pick up the proverbial pieces and make a new life. This process is still underway as of this writing. One of the toughest things I had to do is to take action as opposed to using an excuse of inactivity. Even though it meant going alone and it meant taking time away from wallering in self-pity, I decided in January of 2006 I was going to get in the car and go to NewSpring Church. It was a bit awkward at first, but it got a little easier each time. Now I have the support of my Home group and my eyes have been opened to a new perspective of the Gospel thanks to the teaching of Perry and his staff. I also took steps to deal with my obesity and my nicotine addiction.

  Some may be wondering at this point, why I am writing all this. As the last day of this decade draws near, I write this to reminisce about the good times with Mary Beth and I write as a testimony. I also write in hopes of great times and new beginnings in the new decade to come. For those of you dealing with tragedy and tribulations, it IS possible to tear away from the depths of despair and hopelessness. Sometimes the “light at the end of the tunnel” turns out to be a train, but the “Light of the World”, Christ, is still with us even when we don’t realize it. This was before my time, but I love how Walter Cronkite used to always end his CBS broadcasts with his famous sign-off “and that’s the way it is”. I would like to use that after this next thing… On a very tough night in the summer of 2001, I scribbled some scripture on some notebook paper and put it in my wallet. This now worn and tattered paper, I still carry, contains promises that the Lord made to us. They were not kept in the way that I wanted them to be, but there is another verse I try to hold on to as the events of 2001 drift further and further away into the wake of my life:  Romans 8:28:  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – And That’s the Way It Is! 

Comments

[Gina]

Candid and inspirational thoughts- I really appreciated the sharing. The verse from Romans has been my recorded message to myself these past few years and I find a lot of comfort in keeping my mind focused on higher things. I hope others read your words and take them to heart daily. All the best in the New Year!

[Greg S.]

Thanks so much Gina! This post wasn't easy to write, but I felt this story needs to be told.