Tag Archives: You’ll Find Your Way

Prepare to Stop

Posted on by

by Sandy Kirby Quandt

A road I travel frequently has a speed limit of 55 mph which means even though I’m probably driving 60, I get passed by folks as if I’m standing still.

A stop light on this road sits at the intersection of a heavily traveled road with a speed limit of 50 mph, which most folks also ignore.

When drivers approach the stop light from any direction, they will notice a sign with a light attached and the warning, Prepare to Stop When Flashing.

Perhaps you’ve seen a similar sign?

If the light at the intersection is about to turn from green to red the sign flashes out the warning to slow down and prepare to stop. This gives drivers time to decelerate and avoid any potential accidents.

That sign doesn’t flash all the time. Only when it needs to get passerby’s attention.

Every time I see that warning sign I consider the warning signs God places in our paths. His signs don’t flash out at us all the time, either. They only flash when we’re in danger and God wants to get our attention.

Those signs tell us to slow down. Take our foot off the gas pedal. Pay attention. Stick to the correct path.

Don’t go down that road. It’s dangerous. Remember what you’ve been taught. Don’t fall into the trap of following the crowd.

You’re being reckless. What in the world are you thinking?

Oftentimes we exceed the recommended speed limit for our lives and ignore prudent thought and decision making. We plunge headfirst onto the path we choose without pausing to consider the path God lays out before us.

We know what the right thing to do is, but don’t do it.

The purpose for the flashing light on the sign that sits near my home is to avoid accidents and save peoples’ lives.

God’s flashing warning lights serve the very same purpose…to avoid accidents and save peoples’ lives.

God’s warnings are written in his Holy Word.

We can ignore them and hope for the best, like some drivers do when they run through a red light, or we can pay attention to the warnings, listen to the godly counsel of others, read our Bible, and pray for guidance.

The choice it totally up to us.

Be smart, or not.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

This is what the LORD says:

“Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”

But you reply, “No, that’s not the road we want!”

Therefore, this is what the LORD says:

“I will put obstacles in my people’s path. Fathers and sons will both fall over them. Neighbors and friends will die together.” Jeremiah 6:16, 21 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Proud of You

Posted on by

As Pilot and I unloaded our shopping cart onto the check-out counter, I noticed the cashier in the aisle next to ours.

“That’s one of my former students.”

“Good or bad?”

“Bad. Good. I need to talk with him.”

Through the years while I taught, and since I’ve retired from teaching, I’ve often run into former students. So seeing a former student wasn’t anything new. But I hadn’t seen J, as I’ll call him, since he was in 6th grade. I wanted to find out how he was doing.

God had provided me with another grace-drop.

J was scanning his customer’s order when I walked to the end of his aisle.

“Hi, J. I’m Mrs. Quandt. Your 3rd grade teacher.”

Recognition. Then a shy smile.

“Hi. I didn’t recognize you.”

“That’s okay. I recognized you. How you doing? You’ve graduated already, right?”

Not only had J  graduated, he was in college working toward a double bachelor’s degree.

“Excellent! I’m really proud of you.”

Again, a smile.

Go back 12 years…J transferred to our school after his parents divorced. His mother had several abusive live-ins while J was in my class. J had a really tough time. J threw chairs and anything else he could get his hands on. At one point, I told him to sit at the table next to me. He proceeded to throw the chairs away from the table, then sat under it.

“I hate you! You’re the meanest teacher I’ve ever had!”

“I’m sorry you feel that way. You can finish your work under the table.”

J never threw another thing the rest of the year, and our relationship definitely improved.

Three years later, I saw J at his middle school. He was a leader in the Junior ROTC program. I was so proud of him.

So I’m thinking…aren’t there times we throw things at God? We yell at Him? Chafe against His discipline? Tell God He isn’t doing things the correct way? That’s when God tells us He’s sorry we feel that way. Then He lets us cool off under the table of his love and protection, where we’ll be safe. When we’re ready to crawl out, He’s right there waiting for us.

God’s got a better plan for us. He knows our potential, even when we don’t. God knows the good things we’ll accomplish, even when we don’t believe it’s possible. God created us. Knit us together. He goes before us and prepares the way. Our job is to remember to follow His path for our life. Our success doesn’t surprise God. And you know what? We make him proud.

Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.  Psalm 1:1-3

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

I wish you well.

Sandy

PS

Please subscribe to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday, by either going to the top of my home page, or scrolling below. Thanks!