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Lane Ends, Merge LeftI have a somewhat strange little tradition. I have absolutely no recollection of when or why this “ritual” started…but, every time I see a Frito-Lay truck, I think to myself, “Everything is going to be okay.” Surely there is some logical and intelligent explanation of its origin. I have some faint memory of it being a funny experience. Nevertheless, a Frito-Lay truck brings a smile to my face and a simple, reassuring thought to my mind. Funny how something common, transposed by creativity becomes meaningful. It is still the same thing, you just choose to see it differently. Before you read any further, I need to tell you that this devotional requires a few minutes of your time and a little participation. If now is not a good time, come back when the kitchen is tidy, the kids are settled and you have a few minutes of uninterrupted time. No, wait, who knows when that will be. Maybe now is as good of time as any! This won’t be hard – I think it will actually be fun. First, look over the common roadside signs listed below. Then, pick one or two that jump out to you. Stop Yield Keep Right One Way No U Turn Speed Limit Do Slow, Children at play Service Vehicles Only Detour Do not Enter No Pedestrian Traffic Construction Ahead Work Area Ahead Surface may be icy Slow, proceed with caution Road closed Stop, do not enter No Outlet Dead End Now, turn those signs into an object lesson. Create an object lesson or phrase that means something to you personally. Let it relate to your current circumstances. Perhaps it could remind you of something important. Maybe it could be something that makes you giggle or brings a smile to your face. For example: STOP. “Stop worrying about the things you can’t control.” Or, “Stop after one helping of apple pie.” Or, “Stop all self-defeating thoughts.” Give it a try… I wish I could read some of the ideas you came up with! We see road signs every day. Why not turn them into quick, positive reminders! The negative things of the world are already plentiful. This could be our way of adding more positives! Just in case you’d like a few more ideas, here are some additional “object phrases.” Speed Limit – Someone give me a ticket, because I am speeding through life! – There is a limit to how fast I can go each day. It’s okay to slow down. Detour –What am I allowing to detour me from doing the important things? Slow, Children at play – Slow down and play with the children! Yield – Yield to the promptings of the Spirit One Way – One way I can teach my children is by example. No Pedestrian Traffic – I need a little time to myself, so no disturbances for the next couple of minutes! No Outlet – Oh yes there is! Repentance! Surface may be icy – On the outside one may seem cold or aloof, but on the inside they want to be warmed by love. Construction ahead –…And it’s going to make me better and stronger than I was before. “How true it is that what we really see day by day depends less on the objects and scenes before our eyes than on the eye themselves and the minds and heart that use them.” — F.D. Huntington. |  |
