Lessons from the side of an icy road, III

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Habakkuk 1
NT: Revelation 8
W&W: Psalm 148

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Habakkuk 2-3
NT: Revelation 9
W&W: Psalm 149

Today’s Reflection:

Today I want to finish up with my lessons learned standing on the side of an icy road.

By way of update, Monday morning a van slid off the road into a deep ditch near my home. I had gone down the hill and after determining that everyone was OK, I went back up the hill to redirect traffic while emergency and recovery crews did their work. I encountered some interesting people.

At first, folks simply did what I told them, which at first was to just turn around and go back because they couldn’t get through. Shortly I had to turn back a school bus. As I was telling the driver about the situation, my neighbor drove up and offered to lead the bus through his farm lanes and get the kids safely back on their route. After that, I started sending people that way myself.

One guy, however, must have thought I didn’t know what I was talking about, and he headed down the hill. I’m glad he got stopped and was able to back up because there really was no way for him to get through.

One lady thanked me profusely for telling her about the short cut through the farm lanes. She told me to look at her fuel gauge. It was below empty. There was no way she would have made it back to Felicity for gas. She had a baby in a car seat with her. It made me feel good to help her reach her destination.

Another fella headed down the farm lane only to show back up in a few minutes. He asked me, “Did you get the names of the people who were in the accident?” “No,” I admitted, but it was a mom taking her son to high school. He breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t his family. He went on.

In their hurry and the confusion some folks didn’t “veer right past the 2nd barn.” They ended up going down a ½ mile long drive, turning around, and coming back where they had left the lane.

All in all, it was an interesting hour and I met some nice people. The morning was made better by the hot cup of coffee that Lana brought me!

So what are some more lessons learned on the side of an icy road?

I learned that most people are trusting of what is told them in a reasonable way and will do what is needed even if it represents an inconvenience.

I learned that I don’t have all the answers. I need to depend on people with better information to find the best path to get the kids to school on time.

I learned that a few people won’t believe you until they see it for themselves.

I learned that some people are travelling on “empty” and need extra grace and understanding for them and their families.

I learned that people are very concerned that their families are OK.

I learned that there will be people who don’t get it right the first time. They will need to turn around and try again.

I learned that I’ve got an awesome soul-mate who takes better care of me than I deserve.

And most of all I learned that people need to be warned. There is danger ahead and they don’t know it. But God has made a path of safety, a way to our final destination. If we can point them to Jesus they’ll get through just fine.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Micah 7:18-19: Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.