Upside Right – Susan’s Story

Have you ever received a phone call that turned your world upside down, inside out, and forever changed your life?

As a parent, particularly as a mother, we worry about those calls when our children are young and are outside playing. We wonder, will a car hit them? will something unfathomable happen to them or will we get that dreaded phone call? Then they start driving, and heaven forbid, they are late, oh my goodness, they’re late! Something devastating has happened, says our mind. Worry creeps – or leaps – in. Off to college they go and then out into a life of their own.

We may or may not receive that dreaded phone call. Yet what happens when you do? I’m speaking from experience as I did.

On a magnificent March morning in 2008, my husband and I were shopping for garden ornaments for the yard. It was a spectacular day. My cell phone rang about 10:15 as we were checking out with a new arbor. On the end of the line was my older son, Matt, wailing into the phone, “Kyle died last night! Kyle died last night!”

How can your older son tell you your younger son died, and your world not turn every which way but upside right?

I felt like the earth opened, and I fell into a big black abyss. Everything was amiss in that moment, and for the rest of my life. All I knew to ask was HOW do I stand up, for I’d fallen to my knees with that dreaded phone call every parent imagines yet prays they never receive. I pray you never receive a call with news of a wreck, a death, or any other catastrophic information.

Yet here’s the truth. On the morning of Kyle’s service – I can’t even say funeral –  I had a dream. In that dream, Kyle was dressed in his favorite Scooby Doo T-shirt, his blue jeans, and blazer because he was at an official hockey function. He was dancing way down low like the kids used to dance with their arms circling and in a deep squat position. Propped up against the wall were two hockey sticks, crossed at the top of the sticks. And mirror image to Kyle was Jesus dancing – just like Kyle!

When Jesus saw me, He turned to me and said, “This is to bring you great joy. I taught him how to dance, I taught him how.” And my life changed once again, for I knew where my son was. He was with the One – the only One – His Name is greater than death. He is Jesus Christ.

And that’s how your world turns upside right once again. Jesus.

I pray you know Jesus. If not, please read John 3:16, for God loves you so much, He gave His one and only Son to turn your world upside right forever. That’s called eternity. Jesus came for one reason – to save you.

Oh, by the way, I received the picture above (a picture I had never seen before) two days AFTER that dream of Kyle dancing. My “forever 20” son Kyle would have been 30 on August 27, 2017. And I celebrate the goodness of our mighty God.

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With over 2 million airline miles under her belt, two Christian Literary Awards on the shelf, an MBA hanging on the wall, and a doctoral program underway, Susan B Mead shares her expert teachings on business, grief, and relationships. A master storyteller and award winning, best selling author, Susan leaves audiences motivated to live a life free of regrets even though she has done the hardest thing any parent can do – bury her youngest son, Kyle.

Susan has been described as a solid, comforting voice in a messy world. Whether speaking to business professionals, women’s conferences, industry leaders or writer’s workshops, Susan’s insightful wisdom inspires audiences, empowering them to make healthy mental u-turns to help them find calm in the chaos.

Connect with Susan on her website where she writes each Friday, on Facebook and Twitter where she posts daily inspiration or on Amazon where her award-winning book, Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace, is available. Are you looking for a free mini-course to deepen your faith? Text DanceWithJesus (all one word) to 444-999, then respond with your email to receive 6 days of Biblical encouragement.