The Thursday Night Saga

Oh yes. The time has come to tell you of the adventures of last Thursday.

I told you in the Sunday recap that Thursday night was my first time to meet up with my brand new mentor, Lara. And you know last week was all about testing and trials and all manner of opportunities for growth. By Thursday night, I was ready. Bring on the mentoring. Bring on the lessons. Bring on the teaching.

I called Mom on the way to Starbucks to let her know what I was doing and that I'd be unavailable for a while. When I got inside Starbucks, I pulled an unprecedented move and put my phone on silent and put it away in my purse. Undivided attention. No interruptions.

Lara and I hunkered down in the comfy chairs in the corner and wrapped our hands around our coffee cups to keep warm. We began sharing the stories of who we are...while Starbucks became increasingly popular around us. Not quite two hours into our visit, we were freezing from the door opening so much...and we couldn't hear very well over the din of study groups.

So...she suggested we go for a drive. Heated seats and a quiet surrounding? YES! So while she gathered up her stuff, I sneaked a peek at my phone. One text. I answered and shoved the phone back in my purse.

Apparently at that time, I inadvertently purse-dialed my parents. Of course, I had no idea, so all Mom heard when she answered was muffled conversation. She hung up.

But then because she's my mom...she wondered if maybe something was wrong and I'd been trying to get help. (I think she was channeling her inner Life Alert Operator...) So she tried to call me back. Unfortunately, by that time, Lara and I were sailing over the back country roads - where cell signals do not abound. So her calls wouldn't go through.

For the next two hours she tried to call me, and I didn't answer. Lara and I were, by that time, chatting comfortably in my living room, while the cats paraded around our feet.

It was almost 11 when we made our way back to Starbucks so I could pick up my car...and as I waited for it to warm up just a moment, I saw I had a voicemail from Mom. I listened - and I heard one panicked little Mama. I hung up mid-message and called her.

She was crying. "Where are you? What is wrong?"

Ummm....I was at Starbucks with Lara? Like I told you?

"I've been trying to call you for two hours. I thought something was wrong. Your dad is on his way over."

WHAT!?!

As I high-tailed it home, Mom's doorbell rang. She said, "Who could that be? Stay with me."

Great. So let me get this straight. You're crying because you think I'm dead. Dad is driving over here to find my body, and now I might have to come talk to the police about YOU because YOU'RE going to the door at 11 pm? Good night nurse.

The doorbell ringing was the friend Dad had called to come over to sit with Mom in case the news about me was...bad.

I called Dad - who was most of the way to my house at that point, sent him back home, and then I went home and GOT MAD.

Not at my parents. We're known for overreacting in my family. I've been known to hunt them down at 11 pm myself. (And I reminded them now THEY know how that feels!) I was mad at Satan. How DARE he take the beautiful night of sharing and learning I'd had with Lara...and ruin it by putting the whole family in upheaval! How DARE he take my quiet moments of journaling and reflection and fill them with tears and guilt for making my parents worry!

I was on to him. And I wasn't happy about it. It shouldn't have surprised me, really. He knew God set up the whole mentoring gig. He knows something good is going to come from it and he wanted to nip it in the bud.

But like Kari told me in that email Friday - Satan may attack, but you are stronger.