2319: When the smoke clears

Another Week, Another Story

Ole Miss is in the middle of a special season. After a 34–24 win over the Florida Gators on Saturday, the Rebels are one step closer to something they’ve never truly had: a real shot at the College Football Playoff conversation. Now only Mississippi State stands in the way.

The Egg Bowl always feels less like a regular season game and more like the Super Bowl — pride, history, and bragging rights on the line. I don’t expect this year to be any different.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a historic season without a little drama.

Rumors are flying that Lane Kiffin is entertaining interest from LSU and Florida — two programs he and the Rebels have already beaten this year on their push toward a championship. Lane went on The Pat McAfee Show this week, and Pat asked him, “Has Ole Miss given you an ultimatum?” Lane’s response was simple: “That is not true.”

As a long-time Ole Miss fan, I’m choosing to have faith that he’ll stay. But as always, time will tell.

Weekly Recap

This week had its own rhythm.

I spent a lot of time listening to JMSN, especially the instrumental version of “Bout It.” No lyrics, just a mellow vibe. It’s the kind of song you put on when you want to zone out and let your mind breathe for a bit.

I also had my annual flu and COVID vaccinations. The day after is always worse — not with major symptoms, just that classic soreness at the injection site that makes you suddenly aware of your arm every time you move it.

Friday mornings are my favorite time to log miles. This week I took on a 10-mile run with my Fleet Feet family. On Fridays, we finish at Fusion, our local coffee shop, for our weekly coffee run. A warm cup of coffee at the end of a long run is an elite form of motivation.

For St. Jude Half Marathon training, we knocked out a ladder workout:

• 10 min warm-up
• 10 min race pace
• 10 min FAST
• 10 min race pace
• 10 min cool down

It was a tough one, but the good kind of tough — the kind where you finish exhausted but stronger. Stretching has become a real priority lately as race day gets closer. I’ve noticed how much better my body feels when I commit to it: I warm up faster, and a lot of the nagging pain I used to feel has started to fade.

Scripture of the Week

This week’s sermon came from 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18:

“Rejoice always.”
“Pray continually.”
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Three short verses. A lifetime of practice.

The Takeaway

Life is challenging. The more I live, the more I see how much it moves in ebbs and flows. Some seasons feel light and full; others feel heavy and confusing. Some days are clearly good, some are clearly bad — but all of it is being used for our benefit, even when we don’t fully see how.

When you have a bad day at work, start with honesty:
“Today was rough. I don’t feel good about it.”

Acknowledge that. Let it be real.

Then step back and remember: God already knew that day was on your calendar. That “bad day” might be a reminder that the thing you’re obsessing over doesn’t deserve that much of your energy. It might be a nudge to go outside more, to be around people who fill you up, or to make time for the hobbies that remind you you’re alive — not just surviving.

A tough day in class can feel the same way. Maybe you get a grade that didn’t turn out the way you expected, despite how hard you studied. It stings. Start by acknowledging that — it doesn’t feel good, and the effort you put in was real. Then, once the smoke clears a bit, try to see that God had a plan for this too. The grade is just a number; it’s not a full picture of your intelligence, your character, or your potential. It might simply be a small test: how will you respond when things don’t go exactly as planned? Maybe it’s an invitation to tweak your study strategy, focus less on what wasn’t working, and lean into a more effective and sustainable way of preparing. In that sense, even a disappointing grade can be part of God conditioning you to stay steady, trust Him, and keep moving forward.

That perspective shift doesn’t magically make the day fun, but it reframes it. What feels like a setback might actually be preparation. What feels like a burden might be redirection.

Underneath the frustration, there’s usually something good hiding: a lesson, a reset, or proof that you’re still here, still growing, still in the story God is writing with you.

🎵 Song of the Week

"Bout It - Instrumental"

• Artist: JMSN

🗣 Quote of the Week

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