Sometimes, it only takes a little for us to realize a LOT.

For me, that “little” was getting rear-ended at a stoplight. (No injuries!)

I have to say, other people have not been as lucky after getting in an accident and I am in no way saying that I had it harder than someone else. I am simply telling my story and what I learned from the experience.

Naturally, it happened on a Monday. I was at a stoplight waiting for it to turn green when suddenly my car lunged forward, almost into the intersection. It took me a second to realize what happened. I called the police, we exchanged info… blah, blah, blah… and I went about my day.

Later, while trying to fall asleep, I couldn’t help but replay the scene over and over. First off, I didn’t even see it coming. A stoplight is the LAST place I ever would’ve thought I’d be hit by another vehicle. I don’t know if they were looking at their phone or what, but what I do know is, if they had been going just a little bit faster, my car would’ve been pushed into the intersection, into oncoming traffic. That’s when I realized…life is short.

I know, I know. “Really, Haleigh? You’re just now figuring this out?”

I mean it though. Stop and think about it. Are you ready? To be honest, I wasn’t. I wasn’t ready because I haven’t been a completely faithful servant. Time and time again, God puts people in my path that he wants me to speak truth to and I don’t. Even worse, I don’t because I am afraid of being rejected or losing a friendship because of it… in other words, because of my own selfish reasons.

I need to stop.

God has a purpose for all of us. Psalm 138:8 says, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

Are you truly fulfilling your purpose? If not, what are you going to do about it?

Life is short, be a blessing to someone today.

-Haleigh Marie