Defies Conventional Wisdom

I don’t know whether the overriding emotion was rebellion, survival, conquest, or dedication which proved more powerful than safety, caution, or comfort, but I woke up early again to make the drive into work and this time on decidedly icy roads. My mother, who shared this stubborn streak when she worked, called me to find out why I made the drive instead of staying home until things began to thaw. But, in the years of crippling ice, I’ve seen worse. Our school district made such a late decision deciding to close that I gathered the roads weren’t too bad, and the districts closer to my work site were planning to open at 10am. My plan was to be on the road before too many other cars were in route. Just two houses down I realized the thin ice was nothing to be slighted and I began to doubt my plan, but I also wasn’t sure it would be any easier to go back up the hill and into our driveway. I drove 20mph almost the entire time and the normal 40-minute drive took an hour and twenty minutes. I stayed off all freeways but can’t avoid bridges all together. I did make a concession to my limitations of driving prowess and did not get a breakfast sandwich, choosing instead to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. I’m not completely dense! I don’t like to gamble, and I suppose that driving on ice can be a gamble, but I get so frustrated when the news anchors and radio hosts advise you to stay home, because they obviously made it to work and ignored their own station’s counsel. This time it all went smoothly. I did not have to submit to the weather and I got a lot of work done with very few interruptions since many others found it a better choice to stay at home. By the afternoon it was well above freezing and the drive home was quite ordinary, which was okay with me. Not every drive has to be an adventure.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You are wise and provide prudent counsel. Let us have the wisdom to submit to your authority and the humbleness to accept your knowledge. Let us set aside our pride to accept your guidance and our stubbornness to accept your offering. We have a will to thrive and survive, which helps us endure many hardships. You have given us all the tools needed to persevere. Help us to focus our passion towards ensuring your word is protected and glorified. We ask for traveling mercies for those who maneuver on dangerous roads out of service for others and traveling mercies for those whose hindsight is greater than their foresight. Amen