The Stoplights of Life by Ruth Smith Meyer

Sometimes there are moments in life that make us pause--like a stoplight turned red. 

Because of a curb-hopping accident he had witnessed as a young teenager, my grandson always stood, well back from the curb, behind a light post as he awaited the changing light so he could cross the street. 

Three weeks ago on his way home from work, he decided he had time to make a call to his roommate, so he punched the numbers on his cell phone. 

The next thing he knew, there was a thud and he was flying across the street. “Tuck your chin into your chest to avoid head injury.” He obeyed this caution that came from the inner recesses of his mind.  His trajectory was interrupted when an oncoming car collided with him. He felt himself sliding off of it onto the ground 16-20 feet from where he had been standing. 

His first instinct when he hit the ground was to get up.  But then a bit of his training as a lifeguard rose in his mind.  “Keep the accident victim laying still until emergency help arrives.”  He obeyed.

One small moment in an ordinary day could have changed our lives and had tragic consequences. We are so aware that God’s protection and timing made a difference. How else could you have the presence of mind to tuck in your chin as you are flying through the air? 

In the two weeks since it happened, so many scenarios have played out in our minds. If my grandson had not been behind the light post when the car jumped the curb, he would have taken the full impact of the collision.  The blow was hard for the post was broken off.  The post, falling in a different direction could have caused severe injuries. The timing of the collision with an oncoming car as he flew across the street, could have spelled death or permanent disability.  As it was, because of where he hit it, the vehicle may have broken his fall and softened the impact of the street. So many variables could have caused a different outcome. 

He had a few small lacerations, and bruises besides the shattered tibia just below his knee. That is serious enough. He needed surgery, plates and screws and it will take a prolonged time of healing. Compared to planning a funeral, that seems small. He too, is aware how blessed he is and is amazingly positive about it all. He’s had incredible support and care from his place of work even though he’s only been there six months. For that he and we are thankful too.

 I’m glad that our family has always been free to express our love.  That small moment has made us keenly aware of the need to do so often. The awareness has spilled over into other parts of our lives. Revaluation of what is most important in life, how we are spending our time, the desire to tell others too, what they mean to us in case the opportunity would suddenly not be there.

 Life just looks a little different.

Happenings like that seem to be a time to pause at the red lights of life, consider as we wait for the green and then proceed again with our hand firmly in God’s.

Ruth Smith Meyer finds pleasure in observing life, learning from experience and finding God's surprises along the way.
If you want to learn more about her, visit www.ruthsmithmeyer.com or get a copy of her life story, Out of the Ordinary.  She would be glad to hear from you.