“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. Psalm 39:4-6
On the way to work the other morning, I was running behind. Technically, I wasn’t late, but I sure felt rushed.
Too rushed.
When I got to the school crossing I nearly blew through it. At the very last second I saw the crossing guard’s car door open. I glanced across the street and saw three elementary aged children nearing the curb. I slammed on the brakes. The guard nodded my way. I breathed a prayer of thanks.
I was still running behind, but I had a clearer sense of my surroundings…and the need for it.
A couple blocks down the road I came to the Senior Center crosswalk. Rarely do I encounter anyone crossing the road, but on that day it looked the bingo crowd was heading in! I stopped, smiled, and waited.
I was probably 10 minutes later to work than I wanted to be. But I was surprised by how peaceful I felt.
I felt good about not rushing. Slowing down. Taking time to notice…appreciate…to just simply see the things around me.
As I walked to the building, I noticed the blue sky. I heard a bird song. I felt the breeze. All things I would have missed if I raced to the door, fumbling with my bags, and searching for my key.
I know in my head rushing may get me to the destination, but I don’t enjoy the going.
And the scripture is clear: all our rushing gets us nothing.
We certainly can’t see God, nor experience life fully, the way he intended.
So what will it take to slow you down? A crosswalk was a good reminder for me.
