The city recently installed some speed “humps” (not bumps) on a street that I run and drive down frequently. It’s a road that connects Tidewater Drive and Granby Street, two of the busiest roads in Norfolk. Ironically, I was running by when the city workers were out putting the speed humps in place.

The speed humps are black mat-looking pads that are lower in elevation but longer than your well-known speed bumps. The city planners/traffic people were kind enough to paint little white triangles a little ways before the speed humps to alert drivers that they are ahead. They even put up yellow signs, strangely almost right beside the speed humps, announcing, “Speed Hump Ahead.” I do wonder if any motorists have yet blown tires or almost lost control of their vehicles because of these subtle contraptions. I’ve observed some drivers approach them at regular speed, not anticipating the literal bump in the road ahead. Interestingly, I’ve seen other drivers slow down but then inch their vehicle as far to the side of the speed hump as possible so that the bulk of their tire can squeeze into the little sliver of asphalt that lies between the obstruction and the median separating them from oncoming traffic.

The use of speeding deterrents and people’s responses to them is quite fascinating. Sociologists have probably observed this at some point. We need things to make us slow down. Otherwise I guess we’d get in more wrecks – literally and figuratively. And it’s so interesting that some people still don’t slow down or they try to wiggle their way around the speed bumps. I’m sure God gets a kick out of this.

My husband often says that tearing his ACL and then subsequently having surgery on it (summer of 2019) was one of the best things that has ever happened to him. As tragic as it was, we both truly believe that God used it for good. We both got life insurance, had to learn what “in sickness” meant when we said our vows six years prior, and we learned that we’re not invincible. Had Richard not torn his ACL, I think we would not have taken the time to work through some important things. I had to put some insecurities aside and put on the selfless cap while Richard was on crutches. I had to step up and be the woman of the house. We reassessed some relationships and hobbies in our lives. Prior to this injury, we both had our heads down and with the flow of life. Had we continued on that path, I wonder where we’d be now. 10 years from now. 20 years from now. Burned out, high-achieving workers? Separated? In debt? I don’t know, but I’m glad the speed bump of ACL surgery did slow us down. Richard spent 6 weeks on the sofa and during that time relied a lot on me. I did take two weeks off during his recovery. It was a learning experience for us both. Had this experience happened to Richard 10 years ago, I really think he would have gone insane. In his early 20s, the guy couldn’t sit still for 5 minutes. He had no other choice with ACL surgery. I’m amazed he did so well during it. And here we are nearly three years later and he’s still a calm, content person – I think as a result of that experience.

Other speed humps come in the form of blood test (lab) results – diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer. And then others: a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; a child with Autism or Down syndrome; foreclosure; failing an academic test; rejection by a romantic interest. Speed humps and speed bumps come in all different forms. Some would say “the universe” puts them there. I believe in a Sovereign God who knows well the speed bumps of life. I think He uses them to try to get our attention.

How do you respond to the speed humps? I ran over one the other day, trying to avoid some ice that was on the sidewalk. I might have slipped on the ice. The speed hump provided legitimate turf for my feet but also surprisingly gave a little when I placed all my weight on it. It provided a bridge for me in a sense, a means of getting around the treacherous ice and from one end of the road to the other. In this case, I’m glad the speed hump was there. I went over the speed hump and took what it gave me. It helped me get to the other side safely. Could one do the same for you? Slow down and see. ~

a real-life speed hump on my running route, just before going over a bridge