The day time stood still

Finding God's Grace in the Moments That Changed Everything

I’ll never forget the moment my world changed forever. At 2:44 p.m. on December 29, 2024, everything around me seemed to move in slow motion, yet it also blurred past like a dream I desperately wanted to wake up from. For 32 years, he was my rock, my best friend, my laughter, and my safe place. And suddenly, he was gone.

That moment felt like time had stopped, even though the earth kept spinning. People were living their lives—walking their dogs, sipping coffee, and laughing somewhere out there. But for me, the axis of my world had shifted, and I was left standing in the middle of a storm I couldn’t control.

Prior to this, it really was the perfect day. Looking back now, I can see how the Lord was protecting me. You may wonder how I can say that when it was the very day, He called my husband home. What I couldn’t see then, I see a bit more clearly now.

I remember Bob and I were watching football; it was playoff season. Bobbo always enjoyed his halftime naps, and true to form, he wanted to lie down when halftime came. But this time, he did something different. He took my phone, held it in front of me and said he was going to put it on the table to charge. I didn’t think much of it at the time, except to note that he’d never done that before. But okay.

Now, let me tell you this before I tell you that. Back in September, Bob had a choking episode while sipping tea. It was so bad that he became non-responsive in his recliner. I couldn’t find either of our cell phones, so I did all I could do. I slugged him over and over until, by some miracle, he came to. When he would retell the story, he always said he’d never forget the look of terror on my face when he regained consciousness. He promised he would never put me through that again.

Now, back to that moment. Did Bob know it was his time? What compelled him to make sure I knew where my phone was? I don’t have the answers, but I do know this: when he became non-responsive in a blink of an eye that day, I knew exactly where to run, grab my phone, and dial 911.

The dispatcher stayed with me the whole time, counting and instructing me as I performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. My body kicked into warrior mode, and I fought so hard. I didn’t know then that this battle had already been decided in a single moment. The next day, I noticed bruises on my palms and legs. My dear friend called them my ‘warrior wounds,’ a reminder of how fiercely I tried to save him.

I spent the rest of this day in a place my mind had never been. I was living out our wedding vows: you know, the “for better or worse, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” This parting was something I couldn’t process—I’m still processing it. So much has happened between that day and today, and I know more will happen between today and tomorrow. Until then, I’ll continue to journal and share what’s on my heart and how the Lord is working in me.

One thought from that day stays with me: I had no idea what that day was going to bring, but the Lord did. I believe He made sure I knew where my phone was going to be. I can’t imagine the guilt I’d carry if I hadn’t been able to find it and call 911 as quickly as I did. I am so thankful for that small but profound act of grace.