Picture this:
It’s a Monday.
I'm up at 6:00 AM in order to make it to my 8:00 AM class before the classroom doors get locked, and I miss the class.
Luckily, I made it there on time and all went well
I then had a lab from 2-4pm. Yep two hours of sitting and learning about fossilized organisms.
However; I get out of class and rush home to change my clothes, unload my car, reload my car, and zoom off to Lafayette, LA.
I'm on the interstate with my cruise set on 80 mph in a 75 mph zone.
Yep, you know where this is going.....
Anyways, I’m jamming out to my music with the volume all the way up.
I see blue lights come on, my heart drops, and next thing you know I have a police officer standing at my window. (Keep in mind, I have never been pulled over before.)
He asks, "Do you know why I stopped you, ma'am?"
I say, "No sir."
He says, "You were going 81 mph in a 75 mph zone!!”
“Is there a reason you are going this fast?"
*voice cracking... on verge of mental breakdown*
I continue to say, "No sir, I'm sorry."
Then he continues to say, "Can I see your license and registration, please?"
*mentally thinking to myself *
"What does my registration look like?”
“Why do I have 6,000 envelopes in my glove compartment that all look the same." “Oh lovely, this cop is going to think that I am a classified idiot.”
I pulled out a piece of paper and asked, "Is this my registration?"
He says, "No ma'am, it will be a hard piece of paper."
*goes through papers for what felt like an eternity*
Meanwhile, I just know that this cop is internally laughing at my stupidity and puppy dog eyes that are on the verge of alligator tears.
FINALLY, I found my registration and gave it to the officer. He walks away with my information, and I'm left thinking to myself.
"You big idiot... You know cops are always in this area... Why were you even speeding?"
He comes back, AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD says:
"I'll let you off with a warning this time.”
“Next time, if the speed limit is 75 mph, go 75 mph."
So I say, "Yes sir, thank you!!"
He continues to say, "Those few extra miles over will not get you there any faster."
As I drive on, I thought about what the officer told me, and the MERCY that God bestowed on me at that moment.
I thought, "Why do I rush through everything in my life?" I'm always rushing to get to school, to get home, to do my homework, to say my prayers, and even to turn my article in on time.
Where ever you may be right now, look up!!
How many people do you see rushing?
We see people running through the grocery store frantically, flying down the road like they belong to Fast & Furious cast, and sprinting across campus like they are in a 5k. We are always in a hurry to get from point A to point B. We rush to make decisions, and we even rush to eat our meals.
But why not live in the moment?
Life was made for us to live it, so that is what we must do. However, we must live life to the FULLEST. To do this, we have to vow to QUIT RUSHING through life. We must stop merely going through the motions of our everyday lives!!
SOOOO, the next morning YOU BETTER BELIEVE this gal was NOT going over the speed limit on her way to school or on the way home or anywhere in between that. I was actually not rushing at all on this day. I was not speeding; I was only listening to my favorite Christian song. I wasn’t thinking about everything I HAD to do when I got to school or when I got home!! I was just living in that moment. It felt amazing. I felt more at peace than I had felt in a very long time, and it was in that moment that I realized: IT IS ALL A MINDSET!!!
Life is as face paced as you make it, so why not live one moment at a time?
If you aren’t living for today, then what are you living for anyways?
Why not absorb every single moment that life has to offer?
It is time to quit passing up Christ.
God sent me this life lesson, and for once it was CRYSTAL CLEAR. It was almost like He was saying, “Megan, slow down and notice me.” He actually sent someone to stop and tell me to slow down!! Could you imagine how I felt? I was in awe, like JESUS just spoke to me. I had a come to Jesus moment, and it felt AMAZING!!
So, now it is your turn to slow down and listen to what God is trying to tell you in your daily lives. We must stop speeding through our prayers before meals, before bed, and when we wake up. We can not just go through the motions in mass, but we must embrace them and embrace the fact that we can freely worship God! THAT IS RIGHT... take pride in that genuflect, own that sign of the cross, and hit those high notes!!!
Moments spent with God are unbelievably precious, so endure each moment with Him as if it is your last. Open your hearts to God, and let Him work in your lives!! If we never give God our undivided attention, we may never comprehend how God is working in our lives or what He is trying to tell us!! Therefore, we should set apart some time each day for God and only God. Talking to God does not have to be a "chore," just talk to Him like He is your best friend. Tell Him about your day or talk to Him throughout the day!! Just don't forget about God in this fast paced, selfish world!!
It is time to quit overlooking those suffering around us.
So often in life, we forget that everyone is going through their own storm. We seem to only focus on our own problems!! We pass up opportunities to help people everyday. This world has become selfish, and we are the only ones who can change that!!
We must treat others with kindness and respect, and not only focus on our own issues!! So this week and in weeks to come, try to go out of your way to help someone who needs you or just pray for someone who is in need of prayers!
As Mother Teresa put it so perfectly,
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
So, be kind, honest, forgiving, and do good deeds for others and for God!!!
It is time to open our eyes to everything that life has to offer.
This past Friday after 6:00 AM mass, I was on my way to school when I stopped in the middle of the road (Don't worry, there was no one behind me!!), rolled my window down, and took a picture of the sunrise. It was too beautiful to pass up, and we often forget to appreciate the little things that life has to offer!!
Life truly is extravagant!! However, 95% of the time we are oblivious to the beauty that life has to offer. We focus our time on silly things like drinking, partying, and social media. Nevertheless, we can completely alter our lives if we open our minds, eyes, and hearts not only to the Lord, but to the people we care most about. Do not rush through a visit with your mother or grandmother, because you never know when it could be your last one!! She could be talking about the "olden days," and you may not care, but listen to her stories anyway!! Take the time to notice the smiles people wear, the sunshine on your skin, the wild flowers growing in fields, and even a good cup of coffee. God created those things for us to notice, and for them to bring us joy!! Life is beautiful, so don’t overlook that beauty.
It is time to live in the now.
Now days, everyone rushes to get through school, but why not learn to love it?
People rush into relationships, but for what reason?
People rush into and out of everything that is important in life, but that takes the significance right out of it!!
I hear people at the age of 18 choosing a profession that will work around a family!! Though, we do not know what in the world God has in store for us at the age of 18!! Instead of plotting and planning the future, we should live in the now!!! (And I think I speak for all ages when I say that!!)
“Nobody got where they are today by living for tomorrow.” –Tom Wilson “Never forget yesterday, but always live for today, because you never know what tomorrow can bring, or what it can take away.” -unknown
So, this week practice slowing your roll, and living in the now!! You will be amazed at the difference you feel and see in your lives!!
