keeping things in perspective
Today I had to drive back home from Shreveport, Louisiana, which is a four hour drive that can either be a pleasant cruise down I-20 or it can be weaving in and out of interstate traffic hell. Today's drive started off in the latter section. If you've ever been to Shreveport, you'll know that the greater Shreveport roadway system is a little screwy. One of the trophies of the Shreveport transit ways is Youree Drive. It's one of the major arteries during the holiday shopping season, because of the plethora of shopping centers. Today as I was trying to navigate my way out of town, I had to cruise down this hairy thorough-fare to get on the interstate. The traffic was pretty horrible, to put in plainly. People drive like crazy in the shopping areas during the holidays, and the fine people of Shreveport further affirmed my aversion to venturing out between Thanksgiving and New Years.
Anyway, as I made my way closer to the interstate traffic was really backed up. I saw a couple of fire trucks off on a side road, and I figured some idiot was texting and driving and rear-ended someone. However, as I got closer I saw that the two fire trucks had their ladders extended and were holding up a large American flag. Traffic was crawling forward, and most of the cars were turning off where the fire trucks were parked. I saw a lot of patriotic signs and banners, and I noticed it was a National Guard post. I saw a three little kids holding up a sign that said, "Welcome Home, Daddy!" All of these cars were pulling off to welcome home troops who were coming back from Afghanistan. I sat there in disbelief, I was griping about being held up in traffic for 5-10 minutes while these families were trying to welcome home their loved ones who have been to hell and back. It was a sobering experience seeing the children, wives, husbands, parents, and friends waiting for their loved ones they haven't seen in a long time. I got a little choked up when I realized what how selfishly I was acting over something as petty as a small traffic jam. Then I thought about those families who won't get to welcome home their loved ones for Christmas, those whose family and friends are still serving overseas or those who lost their loved one while they served their country. Many of us might not know someone who is serves in the military, but we all know people who won't get to see someone they love over Christmas because they are either sick, estranged, in the hospital, in rehab, in prison, or in some situation where they cannot be together. With this reality in mind, I cannot complain about the little things that bug me this Christmas.
My prayer, for whomever might read this, is that your Christmas will be filled with peace. Whether it be peace from the chaotic holiday season, peace from an illness, peace from a family feud, or peace from whatever causes you to struggle. May God's peace envelop you like a warm blanket on a cold night, and keep you from doubt, fear, and anxiety.
Grace and Peace,
Katie
Anyway, as I made my way closer to the interstate traffic was really backed up. I saw a couple of fire trucks off on a side road, and I figured some idiot was texting and driving and rear-ended someone. However, as I got closer I saw that the two fire trucks had their ladders extended and were holding up a large American flag. Traffic was crawling forward, and most of the cars were turning off where the fire trucks were parked. I saw a lot of patriotic signs and banners, and I noticed it was a National Guard post. I saw a three little kids holding up a sign that said, "Welcome Home, Daddy!" All of these cars were pulling off to welcome home troops who were coming back from Afghanistan. I sat there in disbelief, I was griping about being held up in traffic for 5-10 minutes while these families were trying to welcome home their loved ones who have been to hell and back. It was a sobering experience seeing the children, wives, husbands, parents, and friends waiting for their loved ones they haven't seen in a long time. I got a little choked up when I realized what how selfishly I was acting over something as petty as a small traffic jam. Then I thought about those families who won't get to welcome home their loved ones for Christmas, those whose family and friends are still serving overseas or those who lost their loved one while they served their country. Many of us might not know someone who is serves in the military, but we all know people who won't get to see someone they love over Christmas because they are either sick, estranged, in the hospital, in rehab, in prison, or in some situation where they cannot be together. With this reality in mind, I cannot complain about the little things that bug me this Christmas.
My prayer, for whomever might read this, is that your Christmas will be filled with peace. Whether it be peace from the chaotic holiday season, peace from an illness, peace from a family feud, or peace from whatever causes you to struggle. May God's peace envelop you like a warm blanket on a cold night, and keep you from doubt, fear, and anxiety.
Grace and Peace,
Katie
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