This isn’t just any quarter.
This quarter has a story.
Actually, it has a life-saving story that I’ll share with you.
Last Fall, I had taken the boys to cross-country practice and set off for a run through town.
It was a beautiful morning…just crisp and cool enough, yet not too hot…the leaves were still changing. So, the colors were everywhere. It was one of those days that makes everything seem perfect. Plus, it was during Fall Break which meant there wasn’t much traffic to contend with as I meandered around town.
About halfway through my run, I was trekking along a busier road just past a 4-way stop where the sidewalk is only on one side of the road. I was on the side of the road without a sidewalk that also happened to be in front of an always-crowded auto repair shop. I tend to be aware of the traffic around me (because…as a runner…it only takes one near death experience to make you aware of cars around you). So, I didn’t feel like this was a dangerous situation given the light amount of traffic on the road.
As I ran in front of the lines of tightly packed cars waiting to be worked on, I happened to glance down and see a quarter. Well, I don’t know about you, but when I see free money, I pick it up. No sooner had I picked up the quarter and continued my gait when out of the corner of my eye (as my head lifted back up from leaning to pick up the quarter) I realized a large vehicle was suddenly right in front of me. The angled position of the vehicle from me didn’t allow eye contact with the driver at the time (which is my usual protocol for proceeding with a vehicle nearby).
No worries…he was quickly trying to move the car to be worked on, but I had enough time to react and slow down. And–then the driver saw me. We made eye contact as he pretty much slammed on the brakes when he saw me (which almost caused me to run into the vehicle since I was anticipating the vehicle would continue moving forward). I waved him along. He signaled a “Sorry, I didn’t see you wave!” And we both carried on.
It was only then, as I felt the quarter in my hand, that I realized how that quarter had just saved my life. If that quarter hadn’t been there and I hadn’t stopped to pick it up, I would be dead or seriously injured. How’s that for an adrenaline run!?!
As I continued my run, my thumping heart (with the realization of my near-death experience) began to settle back into a more regular rhythm. But my mind flashed with scenarios. And, I became grateful. Grateful for the quarter. Grateful that I had stopped to pick it up. Grateful that I wasn’t injured. Grateful that the driver seemed sorry he hadn’t seen me (because, trust me, there are drivers that seem to aim at a biker or runner).
While continuing my run, I wondered how many times I’ve had “quarter moments” in my life. Moments that paused me long enough to slow me down from a dangerous situation. Moments that prevented me from being in a situation or at a location at a certain time that would have been life-changing. Can you think of a few?
Since that day, I’ve kept this quarter on the counter by my phone. And every time I see it, I’m reminded that God protected me that day by simply putting the quarter on the ground in the precise place that I would see it…pause…pick it up….and be kept safe as a result. It’s quite a reminder.
I saw this quarter today while I was cleaning things up on the counter and thought maybe you could use this reminder, too. We live in a busy world. We get running late for so many reasons. We feel hurried to be just about everywhere.
I believe God protects us often times…if we’re willing…by slowing us down in a situation, stopping us at a red light, or pausing us just long enough to chat with someone or wait in line to check out. What do we do in those moments? Complain we got slowed down…? Hurry ahead? Or…recognize that God’s hand of protection might be keeping us from something or providing an opportunity we wouldn’t otherwise have. It seems silly, but I’ve thought about framing this quarter as a reminder to just be okay with pausing, slowing down, or stopping for a moment. ‘Cause it only takes one life-changing moment for life to change…
Psalm 18:30
God’s way is perfect.
All the LORD’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.