Orange Cone Season (07/23/2024)

Yesterday, I drove my daughter to an appointment in Madison. I wasn’t looking forward to it because I haven’t driven in Madison for some time, the appointment time meant we’d be in traffic during rush hour, and it is Wisconsin and orange cone season. But we weren’t sure she’d be able to drive home safely after the appointment because of the treatment to her eyes, so I said a prayer and headed out. Sure enough, it was rush hour. Sure enough, orange cones and barrels lined the entire path, blocking lanes and redirecting traffic. But I was amazed by the drivers. There were no horn blasts, no flares of temper, no near misses. Everyone was driving as if they were on a “road test” with a DMV employee in the passenger seat. And the trip was slicker than a greased pan. Thank you, LORD.

As I reflected on my day, I gave thanks to the LORD for the doctor who saw and treated my daughter, I also gave thanks for the drive without incident. But then I reflected longer on those orange cones and barrels and the behavior of the people. We normally don’t like change. I believe that was operative yesterday, too. But there was tolerance of change yesterday. And I wondered, LORD, have we turned a corner? Are we becoming more patient? Are we becoming less reactive? Are we becoming kinder?

We all have a preferred way. For most of us, it would include no orange barrels. But part of life is learning to adapt with grace, to endure the inconvenience and trials without anger. And life is like that, there are our plans and then there is reality which rarely goes exactly as planned. St. Paul had plans. But then he was arrested. And then he was shipwrecked. He didn’t give up hope. He didn’t have a meltdown. He kept on, knowing the LORD was with him even on trying days or more accurately, especially on trying days.

In our journeys home to life in abundance with our LORD, we will encounter numerous “orange cone seasons.” We will find that we are being redirected. Will we seek the LORD’s grace to help us adapt and to continue on the journey or will we lash out because it’s not the way we wanted it to be? Will we be alert enough to read the signs of the times or will we be too agitated by the inconvenience?

As we go forward today on our journey, let us be alert to what is and open to necessary changes. Let us journey aware of our LORD’s power and presence at work in our world and in our lives. Let us seek to draw upon the gifts of the Spirit.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.