Adapting on the Go (04/01/2026)

My husband and I had an appointment in Madison at the most exquisite building. We went in, located the office on the directory, took the elevator up, and managed to find the right office suite. Our meeting went well. We were feeling accomplished, until we went to leave. At the door of the office suite, my husband reached for the door handle and pulled. It created a bit of a bang. He tried again, as I watched. Then I realized our error. The door read “PULL” but from inside, it was backwards. I whispered to my husband, “Pull backwards is push.” And we both laughed and told the receptionist watching us, “We need to get out more.”

We made it out of that dilemma unscathed other than a tad bit of embarrassment. It wasn’t my first time adapting too slowly on the go. Perhaps my most memorable involved a moving bicycle in a small rural city at the major crosswalk. I was walking on the “walk” prompt when out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a woman on a bicycle coming at me. She was watching the light and didn’t seem to see me. I pivoted, trying to decide in an instant which way to go, but I was too slow, and she ran right into me. It was unfortunate for her, because she’d slowed down almost completely and when she hit my taut straight skirt, it was like a trampoline and she and her bike went flying.

I was okay, a bit in shock, but unharmed other than the bike tread on the front of my skirt. She was not. She was all scraped and crying. So, I helped her up and offered to drive her home.  I walked her and her bike to my car, loaded them both, and drove her home. And the next day, I called her to check on her. We stayed in touch. How could we not? Seems we were meant to meet.

Life comes at us quickly, especially in this modern era. We don’t always choose right or well the first time or even in time. Reminds me of the old saying, “What happens to you is not as important as how you handle what happens to you.” I’ve learned the hard way that that adage is actually very wise. It’s how we handle embarrassment, wrong choices, or even accidents that may be a defining point in our lives.

We are created by the LORD, by I AM, in His image and likeness, so we should all recognize that a huge part of our lives will hinge on our ability to be present. And the LORD gave us minds and hearts to judge wisely and lovingly in the moments. And the LORD extends to us mercy daily because none of us is perfect; and we must be willing to offer it lovingly and generously to others as we ourselves wish to receive it because if we are honest, we will admit that adapting on the go isn’t always easy.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.