I had a negative day at work today. It was just lots of things adding up that caused me to choose a bad mood.

It started with forgetting the headphones for my phone, so I couldn’t listen to anything while doing the mundane tasks I was scheduled for at work and ended with a traffic standstill 10 minutes from home on my return commute.

In the middle was attitude from a coworker and being worn out from a lot of walking all day, among other minor (and not so minor in my mind) annoyances.

I was on my way home from work when traffic came to a halt on the freeway. I could see police lights ahead but that was all.

I was super irritated and angrily said, “Great, now there’s an accident. Who knows how long a delay there will be!” Plus a few other choice words.

As traffic began moving slowly along, we eventually passed a State Highway Patrol pickup truck on the shoulder all by itself without its lights on.

“We’re all stopping because of a traffic stop?! Good grief! Stop rubber necking, people!”

I glanced passed it and saw a cemetery and TONS of cars snaking all through the driveway on the grounds.

It dawned on me it was a funeral procession that had stopped traffic.

Then it hit me.

It must’ve been the burial for the two local children, ages 16 and 12, who passed away in a head on collision a few days ago.

I Googled it when I got home and saw I was correct.

Oh man…

How awful of me to throw an absolute hissy fit at a traffic standstill, not knowing what was going on!

While I was angry and stuck in my selfishness, the heartbroken parents, family and friends of these two children were a few hundred yards away saying goodbye for the last time.

I was embarrassed. Chagrined. Heartbroken.

Why do I continually get caught up in my frustrations?

Why can’t I just let it go and move on in the moment?

While I’m sure I’ll fail at this again, I know one thing, asking God’s forgiveness and getting a reality check just happened for me.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” -James 1:19-20