I was stopped at a traffic light on my way to church last Sunday and before the light turned green a dragonfly flew into my field of vision. For several miles she stayed right in front of me almost as though she were guiding my driving. What made this so interesting is that fact there has been road construction on this intersection for quite some time and as of that morning the lanes had been changed. Rather than distract me, the dragonfly helped me focus more clearly and ease safely through the intersection to continue my journey.

I thought of unexpected travelers on our life’s journey with us. I thought of those we need to pay closer attention to … ones we might ordinarily dismiss and being “in the way” or a distraction.

And then I thought too how easily I could have been distracted by the intricacies of the dragonfly – like how her wings moved or the incandescent colors on her body. She could have so captivated my attention that I did not pay attention to the light changing or where I was driving. How differently my drive to church could have been!

My encounter with the dragonfly illustrated to me the importance of the choices in our lives. I choose to follow the dragonfly rather than be distracted by her. Who do I choose to follow? Why? What choices do I make that distract me from the journey God has me on? Which ones keep me on the journey?

WOW! There are so many choices we make every day that have the potential to guide us on our journey or just as easily derail us. And just like the dragonfly encounter, sometimes we have to make split-second choices. Even the smallest ones have life-changing implications.

I’ve been paying more attention to the people and the little things in life since the dragonfly. I think there is a reason she caught my attention and started me thinking about leaders and choices and my journey. I don’t know when I’ll know why she flew in front of me when she did, but I am certain I will be glad she did!

As an avid photographer I always grieve over lost photo ops. Today I missed a grand one. As I inched my way forward in unexpected midday bumper-to-bumper traffic I crested a hill to see the cause of the delay. There was twisted metal strewn across the road, a wrecker, and several vehicles with flashing lights.

Trying not to be the rubber-necker whose behavior I so dislike, I tried to ease through the blocked intersection without looking. But, I looked. I saw a young female driver in the gentle embrace of a burly Police officer. Her sobs were visible. The comfort he was offering her was palatable.

Where was my camera? I had it with me this morning. Why didn’t I have it with me now? But I didn’t. So instead of lamenting my lapse in judgment for leaving the camera on my desk, I allowed myself to really see what was going on.
The car I assume belonged to the young girl was on a flat bed wrecker. The impact had been on the driver’s side. Had her car been equipped with airbags they would have deployed. I am not an insurance claims adjuster but I feel certain her car will be totaled. No wonder she was frightened and crying!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Police officer hug a victim except on television. But he was being stalwart despite the near triple-digit heat and the horns being honked by angry driver delayed in the accident clean up.

And then I thought back to a prayer I had prayed earlier in the morning. A precious sister in Christ was hurting. My reaching out to touch was via telephone. In my prayer I asked God to allow her to feel God’s loving arms around her. What I saw between the Police officer and the accident victim was what I had prayed for my friend!

God’s loving arms around us. How often we need to feel God’s closeness! What comfort and strength there is from that assurance of God’s protection and love. Stop and feel God’s arms around you. Now, who can you hug in return?