Stopped In My Tracks

           I got stopped for a funeral procession last week. I was driving along a major road, and noticed that all of a sudden traffic was stopped. I looked ahead to the traffic light, which was green, but then noticed a vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection, between the two directions of traffic, with flashing green lights. I was a little puzzled at first, because I'd never seen the green flashing lights before.  I looked over to the other side and saw a long line of cars following behind a hearse. We were on the other side of a concrete median, so our side wasn't blocked off, but the cars on my side were at a stand-still as well.

            Admittedly my first thought was "Oh,man!" But then I lost the attitude as I remembered being in one of the cars following behind the hearse after my grandmother's funeral a few years ago. There were cars that didn't stop for us, and cut us off, and broke up our line of people. It was the very last thing we needed on that day, and it bothered me. Maybe it was a Northern thing that people didn't stop, or maybe they didn't know, or maybe they were being rude. It doesn't matter. What does matter is that it stuck with me. 

         I know there are probably many people who think that stopping for a funeral procession is an outdated practice. But I disagree. I think it helps us connect with humanity again. In the midst of our busy lives, I believe having to stop is a good thing. Especially having to stop so that others may go. I think it reminds us, at least it reminds me, that there are other people out in the world. And some of them are hurting. And if I can help in any one small way simply by stopping my car for a few minutes, then it's worth it. Because people matter, And though I may not know the people in those cars and I didn't may not have known the person that they miss, I respect that loss hurts. And I am sorry they have to go through that right now. So to the families in those cars that I saw last week: I pray that God will heal your hearts and comfort you. Because we all know that it stinks to be sitting in the cars in that line. And while the rest of us only stop for a few minutes for you, your pain continues for a long time after. So you are in my prayers. Whoever you are.