So the other day, I could have been in a really bad accident but thankfully my instincts told me to slow down and wait. I was at a fairly busy intersection and the light turned green, I started to go but I noticed the FedEx truck next to me start to go and then stop. They were turning left but had a green arrow so there was no reason why they could not go. I did start to go straight but then slowed down a bit since I couldn't see to me left and maybe they knew something I didn't. Well, it turns out they did. As I began to approach the intersection I saw a semi-truck come through from the left side. Had I been in a rush, I would have been hit directly by this truck (who obviously was running a red light).
I have been thinking about this incident since it happened over a week ago. Nothing happened, everyone is fine and no accidents occurred. But it definitely could have been really bad. I also had three kids in my backseat (one not mine), which makes me even more thankful I slowed down and listened to my instinct. When I am driving, I feel like I am always trying to predict what people around me may do. You cannot plan or prevent everything, but there are times when I do think you can help prevent accidents.
Many times I think to myself, why are we always in a rush? I am definitely guilty of being rushed and being late, trying to rush my children out the door. Do you think God gave us children to make us stop and slow down? I know most parents have been ready to go out the door and then you have to take someone to the bathroom, change a diaper, get a snack, find a jacket, etc. There always seems to be something that needs to be done before heading out of the house, no matter how late you are already running. But why do we feel the need to rush around and not enjoy the moments?
There are times when my daughter stops to look at something outside and I am trying to get her in the house. What I should be doing is stopping along with her to enjoy God's creation and whatever it may be that caught her eye. Except of course if she stops in the middle of the parking lot, which seems to happen many times! The other day there was ice on the blades of grass and I did stop to show her and admire how beautiful it was, I love those moments and appreciate them.
When we are rushed, we seem to be more on edge and stressed out. I know no one likes to be late, but that is better than rushing everywhere and not enjoying the little moments. To be super cliche, what is so important that we cannot stop and smell the roses? Of course, there is a song to correlate! :)
"Slow Down" by Third Day:
"Tell me to slow down
If you think that the road that I'm on is going nowhere
Tell me to slow down
If you know that I'm going too fast for my own good
Tell me to slow down
If the way is leading to a dead end
Tell me to slow down
Turn around, let me change the way I'm going
Oh, I don't want to let go
Of all the things that I know
Are keeping me away from my life
Oh, I don't want to slow down
No, I don't want to look around
But I can't seem to work it out
So help me, God"
Do you try to go before God and think you know best and rush to see the finish line? Even when it comes to more than just our everyday life, we still need to reign ourselves in sometimes. God could be telling you to slow down and change something, but you are too caught up in the moment that you do not stop, be still, slow down, and listen.
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