The Green Arrow

Last night I had Nikolas, my three year old grandson, with me for a short drive. Buckled safely into his car seat, he chattered non-stop during the entire twenty minute trip, telling me pretty much everything that was going on in his head. He also took great pleasure in back seat driving (he prefers right turns over left turns) and made sure I knew when the traffic lights were red or green, indicating loudly whether I should stop or go.

Then came the green arrow.

I explained the fundamentals of what green arrows meant in traffic and Nik seemed to understand the concept. He was very intent upon finding as many as he could after that. But then, from the back seat, I heard his voice, “Oh man! I missed the gween awwow.” He was so upset with himself and I had to stifle a burst of laughter.

As cute as Nik’s comment was, I realized later how much truth he unknowingly spoke.

How often have I missed the green arrow?

I pray. I ask God to direct my path. I ask Him to show me where and when to go. And then I miss the big flashing green arrow He’s set right in front of me, barreling straight on ahead when I should have turned left.

Why?

Because I am often a distracted driver. I’m not talking on my cell phone (there are laws about that), but my mind is not engaged in what I am doing. I am thinking about all kinds of things  other than what I should be focusing on at that moment. I am not seeing the green arrows God has placed in strategic places along my route, even when His divine GPS does a course correction and tries to show me another way to get where He wants me to go. And I imagine He is shaking His head and saying, “Oh man! She missed the green arrow.”

I want to do better today. I am keeping my spiritual eyes open for those green arrows.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)