L i v i n g
o n
F a i t h
b y
A s h l e y
B u t l e r
Ashley Butler is a wife and mother of two boys. Throughout her journey, she has witnessed the ever-changing
colors of the kaleidoscope called life. But, most importantly, she has experienced the true transforming power of
Jesus Christ. Her heart’s desire is to apply her unique perspective and encourage others along the way, knowing
that they too can benefit from the same redemptive power she knows through Christ.
Stuff Just Happens
Stuff is just going to happen. It
just is. I mean, when the last column
came out, I never thought I would be
writing to you, a month later, from a
35,212-day quarantine. I suppose I
am exaggerating a smidge, but it sure
feels like that children’s TV show that
had that catchy little jingle, “This is
the song that doesn’t end.” You know,
the one with the Lamb. You are
welcome that I have placed that tune
in your brain for the day!
My friend, Shondae, probably
thinks of that jingle every single time
we do something together. I assure
you that it is always an adventure. She
keeps me safe, I keep her wild. We
kinda balance each other out. I want
to share with you a night that is very
representative of all of our current
situation. We will call it “The Nut
That Cracked” night.
I had always wanted to see the
Nutcracker at the Fox in Atlanta.
About 9 years ago, Shondae made
that dream come true…. except I
threw in a few unexpected turns.
I was working full throttle in my
Salon (my career in a former life). It
was around the Holidays and I was in
overdrive. Shondae was supposed to
pick me up at my house and as usual,
I was running very late. We decided
she could just pick me up at the
Salon. When she arrived, I realized
that I had dressed for work only that
day and certainly not for an evening
at the Fox. Shondae is a very detail
specific and prepared person who is
always on time. I am not. I convinced
her that I could run into a specific
department store quickly and buy an
entire new outfit and be dressed and
52 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE
out in 15 minutes or less. I honestly
believe she doubted me. We arrived at
the store and I went in and quickly
made friends with a sales associate
and headed to the dressing room. The
sales associate brought me clothes,
jewelry and the whole nine yards. I
clipped my hair up and walked out of
the dressing room with tags in hand,
paid for the new outfit and turned to
leave. I removed Shondae’s jaw from
the floor and we were out the door.
We were late at this point.
Driving in Atlanta can become a
tricky situation. Not with my
precision driven driving partner at
the wheel though. She zipped in and
out of traffic and I steadily prayed
(she doesn’t like to be late and I don’t
like to be a passenger in a vehicle).
We arrived at the Ballet just in time
for my bladder to explode. I had to go
to the restroom. I have a super short
attention span and I started exploring
the restroom and the lobby and the
phone booths…. then Shondae
reminded me why we were there and
we made it to our seats just in time
for the SECOND HALF. Yes, you read
that correct. I’m sitting over there all
smiles and Gucci, while Shondae is
borderline nervous breakdown. See, I
threw her some unexpected
challenges into a night that should
have been “normal”. We aren’t done
though.