SLOW DOWN

The thoughts of the diligent

tend only to plenteousness;

but of everyone that is hasty

only to want.

Proverbs 21:5

Lunch was refreshing with two of my dear friends. The two friends had come in the same car and I met them at a favorite place to eat. I parked my car in a handicapped space in the end and near the restaurant. I could easily back out from there and be on my way home when the time came...or so I thought.

In the car, I put on my seat belt and checked my screen that indicates safety in backing out or in someone walking behind the car. I put the car in gear and very slowly began to edge out into the lane. Suddenly, I heard/felt a slight little thump on the back of the car. I had looked in that little screen and there was nothing to be concerned about so what on earth was going on.

As I looked back, a white van had stopped behind me. I put my car in gear and got out of the car. I came face to face with a very sweet young woman who said her daughter was in the van. The lady had got onto the parking lot, in a hurry to get to the drive up window to get lunch. She said something very strange. She said, “I saw you slowly backing out but I thought I could beat you.” She was in a hurry. There was no damage to her back fender. I had a little more damage that will need attention when I get around to it. It's not really all that noticeable but Brian would want it fixed.

Why do we get so much in a hurry these days. One of the most dangerous places we can be these days is on an expressway. Everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere. Even where I live with tourists coming to enjoy the mountains, there are folks in their cars who don't like slowing down even when on vacation. We even have computers that give us information almost immediately. Standing in a line at a grocery store is also a somewhat dangerous place to be.

I'm afraid there are times when we are too hasty when it comes to important things. Folks don't visit anymore like I remember when younger. Folks would go sit on a neighbors front porch swing and they would chat until the street lights came on. I walked most places I went even through high school. I left for wherever in plenty of time to walk there. Even in our Christian walk, we often find ourselves having to do some things in haste. I've heard ladies say how they have hurried through their Bible reading. Some folks may carefully look to their watches when a pastor preaches his heart out hoping he won't run overtime. Why...What's the hurry?

Time and it's moments can't be retrieved. We need not count down minutes for going nowhere to speak of. We need not rush. Why feel we have to race to get ahead of someone just for a sandwich at a drive through window. Life is too short to always be rushing. The roses are still very much worth smelling in a casual moment. SLOW DOWN!

Father, you are so patient with us. You don't rush us but tenderly tend to us no matter what is going on. Help us to enjoy every minute You give us in living life. In Jesus' name...Amen