I could have just died.
I have a schedule each morning that I like to stick to religiously. Even though nobody else sets this schedule, it works for me. I get up at 5:00 a.m., feed my bulldog, Winston, let him out for a potty break, get dressed, and then head out the door at 5:15 a.m. to go to spend an hour at the Eucharistic Chapel at my church. Then, I can get back home between 6:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. so I can take Winston on a walk while it is still cool. The temperature can get pretty hot quickly in June in Texas!
I was running a little late this morning, so I was already a little unnerved. I was sitting at the light coming out of my neighborhood that meets the main highway. The main highway light had changed to red. Normally, my light would then turn green. But it stayed red.
I became annoyed at my missing “my turn.” I looked around; had the sensor on the light not picked up my car? No, I was pulled up far enough.
Then, out of nowhere, I saw a large charter bus coming on my left. It came barreling down the highway with no sign of stopping. And sure enough, it ran right through the intersection I was sitting at and through the red light.
I sat there for a moment and took it all in.
It is highly likely that had my light turned green, I would have been hit, T-boned, by that charter bus. I doubt I would have survived based on the speed it was going and the size of it.
But I did not get hit. My light stayed red, and I stayed put.
I praised God in that moment. He took care of me. He always does.
After I sat there and contemplated how God had just protected me, I thanked Him and told Him I knew He would get me to the chapel in His time. I told him I was not going to get tied into knots if I wasn’t able to get to the chapel and back home on my time. And I drove to the chapel praising God the whole way there.
One day, I will die. When it is time for me to meet Jesus face-to-face, my time on this Earth will come to an end. But until then, I know God will watch out for me and take care of me.
If I want to live free from frustration and anxiety, as I know He desires that I do, I just need to trust in Him and that He is watching out for me — even when things happen that I do not understand. Even when things happen that frustrate me, annoy me, or even cause me emotional, mental, or physical pain.
If in those moments I can turn to Him, thank Him, and trust all is in His Divine Will, then I can be free of the anxiety, frustration, and fear that come from not trusting in God.
I can be at peace. Knowing my God is always watching out for me — even when it seems like my light is taking too long to turn green.
And it turns out I did get to the chapel just a couple of minutes after my regular arrival time after all, even after leaving a few minutes late and “missing my turn” at the light. God is good all the time.
Praise be Jesus Christ now and forevermore!