I noticed a snippet of American Exceptionalism this weekend while Kevin and I drove to a much needed movie date. And because the season of political mud slinging is upon us (at least in my house).. I was grateful for the reminder that a civil society, no matter the party affiliation, is a great thing to experience.
A rain storm had knocked out all traffic lights for a good one mile span, in one of the busiest sections of town, on a Friday night. A recipe for disaster in anyone's mind. It was slow, bumper to bumper, organized chaos. Organized being the operative word. You see, in America, as Americans, we know the rules of the road. A light is out, and a once speedy stop light becomes an automatic four way stop. An invisible stop sign appears, and we know to yield, wait, and drive. It really is amazing to think that a society often coined for it's selfish ambition and individualistic tendencies can instantly become a patient, other driver focused community. The destinations of each take a literal back seat to the safety for all.
Traffic is annoying, irritating, and usually brings out the worst in us all. But last Friday night, I was reminded through the delay how a country built with a moral compass, pointing to a selfless God, can still reflect his humanity. So the next time I find myself in bumper to bumper, I will sing the Stars and Stripes instead of the whining blues. Because if I'm going to be late for my date, the least I can do is appreciate the road that got me there.
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