The Storm Front.

Tonight for a sort of end-of-the-year stress relief, a couple friends and I, Jacob Singer and Nathan Gross, joined our dear senior friend and chap, Austin Sisson, at his residence for a lovely dip in his pool and to watch "The Terminator" in honor of the newest addition to the series. After downing a couple glasses of water in Austin's recently discovered massive martini glass, we began to make our way outside.

Whilst outside, we sat on the stone wall above the sidewalk next to my parked car. We just talked, made jokes, and bonded together. Jacob was texting his lady-friend somewhat often, so we kind of ignored him when he did.

After it started raining, the three of us sat in the front seat of my car, and i was debating calling my parents to ask if i could stay longer, but out of respect of the hour (11 O'clock) i resisted. At first, my thoughts were, "I'm going to miss this when Austin's in college..." Then it started to rain hard, and i love driving in the rain, so we took off, leaving Austin to get back into the house in the downpour.

After dropping the junior higher off (Jacob), i proceeded to my own home. Halfway home, the rain stops and i put my window down. I look off to my left due to a large truck turning slowly at the intersection i was stopped at to see one of the most amazing 4 seconds of lightning i have ever seen. The sky was lit on fire, and the only thought in my head was, "Oh Lord, look what you can do."

Arriving home somewhat replenished, checking my rear mirror for more of the show i had witnessed before, i get out of the car, and the first place i went to after setting my stuff down was the front sidewalk. I saw another incredible display, and immediately my mind set off. What have i been doing? Even tonight? I finally realized the sin that i've been wading in for so long, but i can't stop. I have let myself slip into the abyss of my own sin, not even considering forgiveness. How can i think about where God wants me to go without first coming to God on my knees. I fell to the ground, banging bone on brick. My knees cried out in pain, but i stayed still. I prayed, "God, what the crap am i doing?" I know it's prayer, but that's what i thought, and God would know if i softened it for Him, which isn't just courtesy, it's dishonesty of what i've been thinking in my perspective. "How did i get so far lost in this sin that i can't see a problem with it?" In man class, we have talked about Job, and i assume you know the story. "Job didn't curse you, forget you, but he bent down to you!!" My hands fell before me, and my eyes toward the bricks below me; the bricks filling up with light for what seemed an eternity. "After what you saved me from, now i'm wallowing in even more filth. God save me!"

I'm saved by the world's standards. Saved meaning going to heaven. I'm going to heaven without this sin, whether it hurts me now or not. I didn't give it up tonight, but I am getting help from my Savior, my friends, my family, and you. Please pray for me; I need it so desperately...

-Jolly Jon-