Tonight, I made a “quick” trip to Walmart to pick up bananas and cereal for tomorrow plus a few other things. As I headed home I watched five sheriff deputy cars rush past me, going the opposite direction, lights flashing and sirens on. As I drove I thought, there is nothing good at the end of that journey. It reminded me of another drive home a few weeks ago.

I was traveling on the same road, in the same direction as my drive this evening. But, this time, three deputy sheriff cars passed me going the other direction. I saw their lights in my rear-view mirror first and then heard the sirens. When I realized that they were going my way, I slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road.

But, as I drove and the emergency vehicles passed me, I realized that they were heading toward our house. Then, I could see in the far distance that the emergency vehicles had stopped. From where I was it looked like those lights were in front of our home. I couldn’t drive any faster as I saw other emergency vehicles come from another direction; and, it looked like they were all in front of our place.

I started to panic but knew that there was nothing I could do. It was either an emergency for us or it was an emergency for someone else. Neither option was good.

I have been there before:

• Waiting for the doctor to show up and give you both the test results.
• The call or text from the family member that you didn’t expect.
• Your boss saying, “We need to talk.”

The thing you dread either happens or it doesn’t. On this day, the emergency vehicles were gathered at the intersection just west of us. They were close to but not at our home; we didn’t need their help…today.

As we “gather together” this year, do not fret over things you cannot control. Think about how many times you have seen emergency vehicles on the road, and they were not stopping in front of your home. Let’s count our blessings!!

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)