As soon as I turned onto the main road from my neighborhood, a car from oncoming traffic flicked the bright lights on to me and the car in front of me braked hard causing me to slam on my brakes. The bumper sticker read, “Trust God”. I asked God to forgive me for every thought racing through my head. I made the sign of the cross over and over saying, Trust God. Trust God. Trust God.” Instinct took over and the Apostles’ Creed flowed from my tongue. I recited the Our Father, the Hail Marys, and Glory Be.

The road now felt different. The landscape seemed to open up. The sun started to rise showing the gradient from a night sky into a new dawn. My thoughts quieted. My heart slowed down. My spirit lifted.

Eventually sunlight filtering through the trees. I could enjoy the vibrant colors of the wildflowers and the peacefulness of the moment. The Rosary connected me to something larger than myself.

I prayed for the people who troubled me the most – especially that morning. The road can be long, but we don’t have to walk it alone.