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Paula Thomas lived across the hall from me during my freshman year in college.
The one thing I recall most vividly about Paula was her intrinsic and generous kindness.
Paula poured herself into praying for the girls on our floor and encouraging each one through simple acts of kindness. We often found Scripture verses tucked under our pillows at night. When any of our girls suffered broken hearts, it was Paula who met them for breakfast and spent time with them. When the stress of college life became too great, it was Paula who would gather the troops, pop popcorn, and mother us all back into stability and joy.
As the years passed, I lost track of Paula but knew she had a son and a daughter and had stayed in the Midwest.
A few years ago, I noticed through a university publication that she had returned to work at our alma mater. I am often back on campus and whenever I am there, Paula and I spend a few minutes together.
One year, as we stood outside our chapel that September morning, I asked her how her husband, Gary, was doing. She responded by saying he was having a difficult time dealing with grief. I looked at her blankly, apologized, and then asked, “Did someone die?”
“You didn’t know, Carol? Our son drowned this summer.”
“Carol, I know my son is with Jesus. Although I would never have chosen this, I have peace because of the promises of God. I struggle with happiness, but I am filled with joy. God has been faithful to comfort my broken heart and to give me the peace that passes understanding.”
Paula recently earned a master’s degree in family counseling. She has felt the tug on her heart to help other families who are experiencing the pain she and her family walked through due to her beloved son’s death. Paula is determined not to waste her pain, and, because she has experienced the comfort of God, it is now her call and destiny to comfort others with that same comfort.
The one thing I recall most vividly about Paula was her intrinsic and generous kindness.
Paula poured herself into praying for the girls on our floor and encouraging each one through simple acts of kindness. We often found Scripture verses tucked under our pillows at night. When any of our girls suffered broken hearts, it was Paula who met them for breakfast and spent time with them. When the stress of college life became too great, it was Paula who would gather the troops, pop popcorn, and mother us all back into stability and joy.
As the years passed, I lost track of Paula but knew she had a son and a daughter and had stayed in the Midwest.
A few years ago, I noticed through a university publication that she had returned to work at our alma mater. I am often back on campus and whenever I am there, Paula and I spend a few minutes together.
One year, as we stood outside our chapel that September morning, I asked her how her husband, Gary, was doing. She responded by saying he was having a difficult time dealing with grief. I looked at her blankly, apologized, and then asked, “Did someone die?”
“You didn’t know, Carol? Our son drowned this summer.”
“Carol, I know my son is with Jesus. Although I would never have chosen this, I have peace because of the promises of God. I struggle with happiness, but I am filled with joy. God has been faithful to comfort my broken heart and to give me the peace that passes understanding.”
Paula recently earned a master’s degree in family counseling. She has felt the tug on her heart to help other families who are experiencing the pain she and her family walked through due to her beloved son’s death. Paula is determined not to waste her pain, and, because she has experienced the comfort of God, it is now her call and destiny to comfort others with that same comfort.
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About this Plan
“Extraordinary Ordinary!” is a challenge to live well and embrace the life you have been given with no regrets. We must each accept responsibility for our own lives with no blame or aspersions cast in the direction of others and their choices. You, in partnership with God, will design the life that will occupy the length of your days. While you may not be able to determine all of the events and circumstances of your life, the atmosphere of your life is entirely up to you.
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