While returning to the Atlanta area after the Memorial Day holiday, not even a mile from the exit I needed to get off on, I was pulled over by the police.  I knew I hadn’t been speeding (not excessively) so I wondered what the charge could possibly be.  I was glad I had already ensured that my current insurance card was in my purse and knew I was prepared when he asked for it (that’s how they do it in Mississippi).  He proceeded to the car, gripping his gun and informed me that he was pulling me over for a “move over” violation.  He seemed pretty upset and even raised his voice as I looked again for my insurance card.  He became irritated and told me my drivers license was all he needed and headed back to his car to check my record.

There was a time when I would have become overly emotional at this point, but this day my response totally different!  I began to smile and even chuckle a little as the bigger perspective of my “violation” came to view.  I decided to put on a little “Yahweh” by Mali Music-the 2nd Coming.  When the officer returned to my car, I guess he either heard the music or felt the atmosphere of praise was too thick for him to remain in his negative disposition.  I began to thank him.  I told him that God always allows me to see the bigger picture (which He will do for all of us if we remain open) in my circumstances. I informed the officer that he would never know how much I appreciated him for doing his job.  I told him that I believed God had a greater message for me in the pull to the side of the road.

You see, last week I discussed “moving on” and “moving back” (see the 5/25/16 Inspiration).   I “failed” to discuss “moving over”.  Perhaps last week, I didn’t realize that it was time for me to “move over”, but this week God made it very clear that I need to prepare to “move over”!  I got the revelation before the officer returned to my car.  I got so excited about him stopping me that I believe he was a little taken aback by the unusual response!  I can’t tell you how much I want to “move over” and let the people and things that God has orchestrated to be in my life “come in”, “come again”, “come back”-ALL THAT!!!

On the way home, I stopped by the drug store to purchase a greeting card and I noticed an unusal sound coming from a tree.  The sound was so different from any I’d ever heard.  A mother and her daughter were intrigued by it also.  I finally traced the sound to a large black bird in a tree just in front of the store. The mother mentioned that her daughter attracts birds and I remembered that “so do I.”

Well, once I got home, I did  a little research on the ticket AND the bird. I found that while this “violation” won’t adversely affect my insurance, the cost of the ticket is much more than I’ve ever had to pay.  According to the website, this type of violation is an “attention-getting” $500.

“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.” Psalm 37:25  Even through my struggles, I have continued to be faithful in the things God has called me to including my giving!  In addition, I have blessed others and I have contributed to the needs of kids by donating toys and gift cards at Christmas, by passing down gently worn items that my daughter has outgrown and donating to feeding drives and other fundraising campaigns.

As for the bird, the research suggests that it was a Raven rather than a crow primarily because of its size and the sound it was making.  The research further confirmed that ravens are found in northern Georgia and a video highlighting their distinct caws removed any doubt I may have had.

Then the Lord said to Elijah, ³ “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. ⁴ Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” ⁵ So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. ⁷ But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. (1 Kings 17:3-6)

 Then the Lord said to Elijah, ⁹ “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” ¹⁰ So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” ¹¹ As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” ¹² But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” ¹³ But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”  ¹⁵ So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. ¹⁶ There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. (1 Kings 17:9-16)

Since coming to Atlanta in somewhat of a “Jonah” fashion, I have listened for the voice of God and watched him work in my life like never before.  I truly know that obedience is better than sacrifice and I’m believing that no matter how “tight” things get as God brings this season to an end, every ounce of it, is worth what He has in store for me.  I wish you could see me in motion-I’m moving, scooting-heck I’m even doing the “Wobble”, the “Birthday, Cha-Cha and Electric” slides  as I “move over” in anticipation of making room for the things of God. The benefits of this “attention-getting” violation far outweigh the costs.  I’m making ready and I don’t anticipate to have to deal with this violation ever again.  In case you missed this, “moving over” is Forward Movement!