My Paisley Chair

April 25, 2015 was my “Good Lord Judith” night. At the end of a very long day I was driving myself back to my mom’s apartment to spend the night – alone.

You see, mom had passed the day before and as a family we had just left the funeral home after making arrangements. To say that I was having some “Martha moments” and was anxious and troubled about many things (Luke 10:41) would have been an understatement!  

I had stopped to fill mom’s car with gas when my BFF called, and I wept. As we were chatting a storm began to rage around me that shook the car like it was a rag doll. Taking into consideration that mom’s Cadillac, aka land yacht, was full of gas and heavy as a tank, I knew it was a bad storm. The sky turned bright emerald green (if you know, you know). We were familiar with the tell-tale signs of tornados as we had been through our fair share in Missouri. Add to that the wave of rain that resembled severe Gulf depressions that came through Mobile. I felt like I was in trouble.

At that moment I noticed I only had 2% battery left on my phone. I didn’t realize how frightened I was until I heard myself say “Sweet Jesus Judy, PRAY! And Call David!”

I had intended to wait the storm out in the car, but husband and dear friend insisted I go in the building (wisdom literally screamed in the parking lot – Prov 1:20). In the space of 3 car widths I was almost knocked off my feet and was soaked from head to toe as I banged on the glass door – the automatic door was not so automatic that night. The traffic light across from me twisted, I saw a tree blow behind my car in the rear view mirror and debris filled the parking lot.

Judy stayed on the phone with me until I got inside and my phone died. She had called David and had him on another phone – and they prayed!

You may wonder about the title Good Lord Judith, but some of you know we heard those words grouped together quite often! When my kids were little they would sometimes ask “Are you going to dinner with Uncle Gary and “Good Lord Judith?” Well, since 04/25/2015 Judy Oglesby, will forever be my “Sweet Jesus Judy”! Friends who will pray with you and stay with you are treasured gifts only God can give and I am forever grateful!