By Joe Mazzella
A recent storm had caused a tree to fall knocking down power lines across a road here. The guy holding the stop sign said it would be four hours before it was cleared. That meant all traffic had to be rerouted down a narrow, backcountry road that would take me 15 miles out of my way. Still, I decided to try it. As I started down it I was foolishly going the same speed as I would on the main road. Almost immediately though I saw a delivery truck in a ditch and slowed down. As I pulled around it I saw that just over the hill was a narrow hairpin curve that I would have never been able to take driving as fast as I was. I would’ve certainly crashed into the trees.
I decided then to just slow down and enjoy the drive. The road was narrow and winding with trees on one side. The morning sun was shining on their green leaves. I looked to the other side and saw meadows where butterflies flew from daisies to dandelions.
Regal Queen Anne’s Lace was growing along the side of the road too and birds were flying from tree to tree. It was all so beautiful that I felt a sense of peace and happiness fill my heart. I felt a lightness in my spirit that made me want to sing.
It was one of those pure moments when you truly see, hear, and take into your heart God’s unconditional Love in this world. I smiled up at the Heavens and thanked Our Heavenly Father for it all.
As I was driving too I realized that it was no “coincidence” that the delivery truck had gone into the ditch. I think it was God’s way of warning me and any other foolish drivers to slow down before we wrecked and seriously hurt or even killed ourselves. And maybe by slowing down we could more easily see the beauty of His glorious creation all around us.
“Coincidence” is a funny thing. It fills this world. Yet it is always guided by God. It helps us to see who we are and why we are here. And it reminds us just how much we are Loved.