Breakdown on Main Street (06/09/2026)

Yesterday, I had errands to run. On my way home, I noticed one of our small city police officers conducting traffic at one of our local two stop signs. That was unusual. We’re a quiet little city. As I got closer, I realized that an 18-wheeler had broken down and two officers had been assigned to traffic control. As the one officer waved me through the intersection, I thought to myself, “I bet nobody saw this coming.”

Seriously, I doubt the two officers who were out on the street planned or even considered that this was how their day would go. In my 11 years of living here, it is the first time I’d seen them do this except for parade days. I hoped they’d dressed for the task because it was hot and muggy. I hoped they had on their comfortable shoes. And the poor truck driver. I bet he wasn’t having his best day either. Life’s like that, don’t you know. We don’t always know what’s ahead.

Everyone seemed to be handling it well. I saw no signs of impatience or tempers. That was a blessing. We are fortunate to have a great diesel tow and repair shop in our city. That fella in the 18-wheeler couldn’t have picked a better spot to break down: friendly police, understanding fellow drivers, local tow and repair. He’s blessed. I wondered if he realized that.

We all make our plans and then life unfolds, rarely exactly as planned. We all know the old adage, “It’s not so much what happens to you as how you handle what happens to you.” That’s a big part of our journeys in faith, hope and love – how well we handle the unexpected and even the unwanted that comes our way.

Last evening, as I was gathered with a group of wonderfully faithful and spiritual women, we were breaking open Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, specifically chapter 6:9-7:11. Several things jumped out at me in light of my day’s earlier experience with the breakdown on Main Street. Most striking were the multiple passages about dependence on God and what we treasure most.

I wonder if in the midst of the breakdown on Main if anyone turned the problem over to God or did they simply respond? Did anyone see the hand of God in the response of the community? I realize myself that often I miss the presence of the LORD at work in my moments until later when I reflect on the day.

As we continue our journeys in faith, buoyed by hope in the One who promises to be with us always, and fueled by love, let us make our plans but remain open to the LORD at work in our world and to the LORD drafting us to be part of His divine design in an unexpected moment. And let us commit to being people who can handle the unexpected knowing we do not face it alone.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.