Slow down, Janet

A funny thing happened on the way to get my haircut: I met the nicest police officer.

Four blocks from home, I saw the flashing red lights and, thinking he needed to get around me, turned onto Logan Street. The officer pulled up behind me. I was sure he was in hot pursuit of a criminal … but it was me he was after.

As he approached my car, I said, “Officer, whatever you say I did, I did it.” He laughed.

Here is how our conversation went …

O: Where are you going?

Me: To get my hair cut.

O: What time is your appointment?

Me: 9:15

The officer looked at his watch and saw that it was 9:05.

O: Do you live in the neighborhood?

Me: Yes, sir, for 68 years.

O: We are having complaints about people speeding in the neighborhood.

Me: Yes, sir, I’m one of the ones complaining.

O: May I see your license?

As he is running my plate and looking for any traffic violations in my history, I am thinking: I have not fixed my hair or put on any makeup. I look pitiful. Well, if I ever see him around town, he will never recognize me, that’s for sure.

He soon returned to my window – it was Chuck’s car. I was driving his little black car, which seemed to go faster than my four-slice-toaster Ford Flex.

“Mrs. Leonard, you have no past traffic violations, so I’ll just ask you to slow down as you drive to get your hair cut.”

“Officer D, I will do that, and I thank you for your mercy and all you do for our community. I will say a prayer for your safety. I always do that whenever I see a police officer.”

Officer D had no idea he would be helping me write my column this week. When he told me to slow down, I realized I had been not only driving too fast, but I also needed to slow down and not be so busy. All of a sudden, my life had gotten crazy.

My mother often told me I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off. (She was raised on a farm, and well … you know.)

I struggle with thinking I have to be busy and productive and might have get-er-done issues. Mom would remind me that even God rested on the seventh day.

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT

I had been running around, going too fast, carrying heavy burdens, and was weary. The good Lord got my attention the best way he could that day … He sent a friendly police officer with red flashing lights to get my attention.

Both Officer D and God were telling me, “Slow down, Janet.”

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.