“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” -Mark Twain —

 I hop in my SUV and off I go to the grocery store. Vroom. I grab the necessary items and head for home. I am stopped. An intersection with a stoplight near my home annoys me. My luck runs red. No matter which way I approach, the light is red. It turns yellow when it sees my car and I wait for the long red light. At least it seems that way. 

How often do I evaluate waiting or pausing as an assault directed toward me? My displeasure can be seen in my attitude towards others and even God. Huff, Huff, Huff; I set forth my vexation to lend itself to expose my self-centeredness and enact a narcissistic performance.

Today, there are a few backed-up cars, but I see flashing lights in the intersection. This is not a red light; it is a tangled mess. A crumpled black truck with glass strewn in every direction is half rolled over. An accident has just occurred!  I slowly navigate around the cars piled up around the intersection, going home by a circuitous route. I pull onto my street and a friend, Rigo, tells me it is a five-car accident with injuries. The road is blocked for over three hours.  My annoyance melts into prayer and gratitude for those involved and that I wasn’t part of the wreckage from this drunk driver plowing through the stoplight at two o’clock in the afternoon.  

The steaming wreckage shifts my red light attitude. It changes the rhythm of thought. The pause becomes a pathway for a whisper to be heard. The Whisper reminds me of where the source of rhythm comes from. 

“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” 

-Psalm 121:2 

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father 

I have calmed and quieted myself ( Ps 131:2a)  

Help me to trust You as I steady my heart and mind on your promises. Teach me to see where You are at work and give me your encouragement. Thank you for the pause that You have given me and help me to use it to Your glory. Amen.