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Ever notice that God not only sends us new mercies each morning, but teaches us valuable lessons in some pretty awkward, everyday moments?
Recently I had a little mishap with the police.
The 5-Oh. The Fuzz. The Po-Po. Smack dab in the middle of my neighborhood, btw. It was totally humiliating.
To make matters worse, the hubby drove by just moments later. *seriously, what are the chances?* Right at that moment where the officer stands with his flashlight on (it was daylight, so that was weird) reading my license.
Awkward. *she notes in a sing song voice*
Moments later, via text, hubby asks: “So, how much is the ticket?” Ouch.
To rub salt in my wound, the officer asks to see my registration or proof of insurance.
Me: “Officer, my husband is gonna kill me, that was him that just drove by, by the way. Wait, what do you need again?” Officer exasperated: “Registration or proof of insurance ma’am.”
Ma’am. Ouch. That hurts.
Me giggling, cuz that’s what I do when I’m nervous: “I have it somewhere in here. Hang on.”
3 minutes later, as the Target bags are flying and the gazillion straws and napkins stored in the dash cubby are scattered all over the car
“Crap, I really do have it, how much time you got?” As I looked up, I caught him rolling his eyes and chuckling. I took note of the wedding ring, hoping his wife is also a ditzy, disorganized blonde.
Sidenote: Have I mentioned that by now the little old lady down the street, the kids at the park and the guy who was out doing a neighbor’s landscaping are all standing at the side of the street watching in wide-eyed amusement?
Another text from the hubby: “So really, how much is this gonna cost us?”
My response: “You mean besides my humility and the inability to show my face outside in our neighborhood this Fall?” Him: “Yeah. Besides that.”
With all this drama and intrigue and half the neighborhood watching, I must have robbed a bank or something, right?
Nope. I choose to take the stop sign as a suggestion.
Officer: “Stop signs are not suggestions ma’am. I’ll give you just a warning today.”
Me: “Whew. Thanks. I really do have that registration in here somewhere.”
Officer: “You really might want to think about being a little more organized ma’am.”
Me (in head): STOP SAYING MA’AM!
Me (out loud): “I will officer. Have a great day!”
Life lesson: Slow down. Stop being so focused on EVERYTHING else that we literally miss the signs right in front of us.
Let’s be honest…aren’t you guilty of that too? We are so caught up in our own lives, the long list of chores, errands, etc. that sometimes life (or a stop sign) literally passes us right on by.
I am the first to admit that I have been far too busy focusing (ok, obsessing) on my current soul crisis, that I have been missing out on life. And living. And friendships. And laughter. And all the other wonderful things God has in store for me.
Don’t be too busy friends. Don’t miss all the wonderful, messy, glorious things that God places in front of you each day.
The person in the grocery store line that needs a word of encouragement. Or a child that wants you to take delight in the dead bug they just found. A family pet craving your affection. Or the tired spouse who walks through the door at the end of a long day with a migraine. Don’t miss out on LIVING, because you are too focused on your sadness, drama, relationship issues…or pretty much anything else that seems to be taking up negative space in your life.
Be present in your life.
Don’t miss the beautifully messy moments God has planned for you today.
Pay attention to the signs (both literal and figurative) that God places before you.
