Daily Devotion:

Title: Crossing the Street

Date: March 18, 2013

In the driveway of a B & B, at about a yard back from the edge of the street, stood a skinny boy about eight years old. He was dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers. He looked left and right repeatedly. He wanted to cross. There was no crosswalk. His body was leaning, and his face betrayed a mix of butterflies and backbone. I stopped my car to let him cross. There were no other cars. He watched me. He looked left and right, and then left and right again. He looked at me and I nodded to him. He crossed the street in a half run. A slight smile curled up at the corners of his lips. There was something about the resolute way his body moved, and the expressions on his face – joy, fear and bravery — that made me sense that it was his first time crossing a street alone. Surely his mother had advised him, “Stand far back from the street. Look both ways a handful of times. Wait for the cars to stop for you, and then hurry, but never run across the street.” It was a rich moment for him — a moment of self-sufficiency, guided by his loving mother. As he walked in front of my car, he looked at me and waved his thanks to me. When he got across to the opposite sidewalk, I saw his body relax.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, whenever we face challenges, and whatever crossings we must make, give us the guidance we need and the courage to go. Amen.

Here's a Thought: Do not be frightened. God is with you wherever you go.*

*Source: Joshua 1:9