Oversleeping a half an hour, because you blinked and went back to the “land of nod”, can throw the start of your day into a tizzy… or not. At least, if you make up your mind that you are not going to let it, that is.
One of the areas the Lord has done a great work in, is in the area of fretting over things like tardiness.
Since I hate being late for anything, I tend to arrive far earlier than I need to for the most part. It’s also disrespectful of other peoples’ time, in my mind, to keep people waiting. It is definitely one of my top “pet peeves” – along with people being disrespectful and rude to others!
I had a high-blood pressure scare the week before, due to an abnormally high pain level in my body that exceeded my bodily-maximum-tolerance. So, as a result of my new place of “determined” calmness and no choice whatsoever, I resolved that I was not going to allow my blood-pressure to soar by the momentary “panic” of being late.
Fortunately, I had readied myself, and packed my bags the night before. So, all I had to do was toss them into the back and the van, and I was off.
A little more than an hour away from my final destination in upper New York state, I had finally moved from darkness of the early hours of winter morn in Canada and into the daylight. The air was crispy, and the sun and frost were leaving a subtle sheen around me, for which I was thankful. It was enabling me to see the black ice patches that still clung to the pavement within the dense mountainous terrain.
With great caution, I journeyed with my foot eased up on the pedal, far more than usual.
Somewhere, in the midst of one of the narrowest, winding, stretches possible, I felt to slow down gently but swiftly. As I rounded the banked corner, it was then that I saw them.
Tawny, elegant and graceful, they paired themselves in a manner of calm assurance – they seemed to sense that they were perfectly safe, and that no harm would come their way. Their white tails responded by flipping upwards, and they stayed side-by-side, as though they were a set of rear headlights that I was meant to follow.
I was in awe of their quick, purposeful glance over their shoulders, and I would tell you that I actually saw them smiling at me, and then at each other. I continued to follow them slowly behind, and they continued to trot directly in the lane as though they were showing me the way.
The thought came immediately, that this was a heavenly intervention and a divine appointment.
I thought of the dozens of people, once irritated with “life’s little frustrations” on that tragic day of 9/11, who now recognize their lives were spared because something or someone held them up – stories of missed taxis, children who missed their buses, unexpected phone calls, and other stories far too numerous and poignant to recall at this time. Moments, although perhaps frustrating at the time, which are no doubt held as very “dear” and precious to them now, when recalling the events of that day.
I truly knew He had sent these “deer” ones to ensure that I was being held back from something that lay ahead. There was no doubt in my mind… no doubt at all.
There was peace in the knowing, but I also knew it would mean I would need to pay close attention for what lay ahead on the rest of my journey…
Slowly I lowered the window so that I could say a “thank-you” to these two “angels” of an earthly form, but it wasn’t time yet.
A minute or two went by and they did a synchronized, gentle turn to the left. With a single movement, a graceful glide was executed over the guardrail and into the forest of evergreens. Gratefully and softy, I yelled my word of thanks to them as they slid into the shelter of safety. Once again, I turned my attention to completing the last leg of the trip…
It couldn’t have been much more than a half hour later, when again, my spirit was cautioned to slow down as I took the corner.
I saw the rolling dispersion of chunks of snow and bits and pieces of metal and plastic as it continued skimming across the surface of the road. It was coming from around the hidden embankment and it was an ominous sign that there was trouble!
I broke hard and fast. The snow on the side of the mountain had let go with the weight of itself, and coupled with the sun hitting it, it had been a formula for disaster, even with the cold temperatures!
It had caused a mini-avalanche to come careening down and onto the curve, and had struck the unseen vehicle that had been ahead of me!
Now, there was really no choice but to swing into the oncoming lane.
I looked quickly at the car and was shocked to see the extensive damage that had been done. I also noted the driver was nowhere to be found. I wondered if the driver in a state of shock had jumped out and ran for safety, fearing that more would come tumbling down on him… or he may have wandered into the bush nearby in a state of confusion.
It was certainly no place to for stopping, and it would have been dangerous for me to have chanced it. Most likely I would have ended up getting struck by someone else, or being hit by more tumbling snow coming down the side. I had little choice but to keep moving.
I reached for the cell phone, but of course, in the remote area there was no signal. I continued on looking for a state-trooper – usually they are as thick as flies, but there was not one to be seen when we needed one!
The truck that I had avoided in the other lane was stopping to offer assistance, and was taking control of the immediate situation, so I continued onward and watched diligently for any sign of further aid. In the momentum, I was still praying that all would be well, but truthfully, I never did see anyone within the next half hour and it was now too far away for anything to be of any value anymore.
Clearly, it couldn’t have been any more than one or two minutes previously that it had all happened… the rolling chunks of snow had confirmed that. Undoubtely, I knew it was the reason for those “deer” moments earlier…. the reason that I had been held back. Someone else, however, had not been so fortunate, and reaped the result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Yes, indeed, I was grateful for those who were praying me safely there and back. During those “dear”, “deer” precious moments they had uttered a petition, that may very well have saved my life yesterday.
Please… the next time, you find yourself annoyed by frustrating, delaying, seemly-irritating events, keep it all in perspective… remember, that they might just be a “life saver” you didn’t expect!
Instead of fretting… stop, pause, and say “thank-you” for all those “dear”, “deer” moments in your life.