Doesn't it seem that whenever you are
the most hurried, you are stopped by more red lights ?
In the past, a red light created stress in my already busy schedule.

My goal was to arrive at work early to
prepare for what the day would present.
It was as if every minute saved would
change the course of my day.
My eyes were not only on the road,
but the clock, as the minutes ticked by.

One day last fall, what started out
as a typical drive for me ended in a life
changing experience.
For some unknown reason, as I stopped
at a red light, I reached over and turned
my radio off and began to pray for a friend
in need.
It was not a conscious act.
It was as if God was alerting me saying,
"Your friend needs your prayers at
this exact moment."

Just one prayer and the light turned back
to green ! I was stunned.
That brief moment of silence allowed me
to turn away from my anxiety and
direct my care and concern to a friend
who needed my prayer more.
The calmness that came over was remarkable.
At that moment I made a decision.
Whenever I was stopped for a red light,
I would pray for someone in need.

How often had I promised a friend to keep
them in my prayers ?
Now the Lord gave me a simple solution;
every red light I approach,
pray for the first person that comes to mind.
Surpisingly, I do not anticipate praying
for a particular person.
I have prayed for family, friends,
co-workers,
as well as for situations around the world.

Every red light is a new opportunity.
People from my past, present and even
those I have never met present themselves
to me.

A remarkable thing happened at that red light.
What started as a tension filled drive,
became inspirational time well spent.
The brief pause in my drive gave me the time to shift the focus of my stress
to a peaceful action.
I was more relaxed arriving at work and
my day went smoothly.

Now whenever I approach a red light,
instead of feeling anxious with a quickened
heart rate, my heart slows down and
I go to a place of peace and prayer
rather than anxious moments.

I may not be able to physically provide help
or assistance, but I can provide spiritual support to those in need.
A red light is only a short minute,
but the power of prayer lasts
way beyond that moment.
What I used to dread, I now view as an opportunity to extend the power of my prayer.

..... I no longer feel hurried when driving.
If I am stopped along the way,
it is my red alert that somebody can benefit more from my prayer at that exact moment rather than my arrival to my destination a couple of minutes early.

I invite you to welcome
stoplights in your life.
Who will you be thinking of
at that next red light ?