Gracious and Merciful

We knew by projected forecasts last night that we might have an inch of snow on top of the thick coating of ice here in N. Texas. We awoke to 6 MORE inches of snow and STILL snowing this morning. We were cautioned to stay home by the weather folks as they panned spun out vehicles and stalled semis. Tow trucks and gravel trucks sent out to help were stalled and overturned as they tried to negotiate the icy, snowy bridges, entrance ramps, and mixmasters; themselves becoming additions to the numbers of folks disabled and in need of rescuing. There have been over 800 accidents in the past few days due to dangerous roadways.

I took these pictures in our yard this morning. It looks like the snow is picking up in intensity as I look through the window while typing. The wind has died down and it feels a bit warmer than the 17 degrees upon rising.

Cindy, a local newscaster, shared her experience getting into the news station this morning. She approached a signaled intersection just as the light turned red. She knew that if she braked she would spin out. She saw the police car to the left, yet she weighed the options and thought it best to continue through the red light. She glanced over and they smiled at each other as she proceeded through the intersection. He did not give her a ticket. Her experience led me to this scripture:

~~~They refused to obey...they stiffened their necks...But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and you did not forsake them.
Nehemiah 9:17~~~

Apologies, God and peeps, for the parody below, but just started laughing when I read this scripture and how it made me giggle as I applied it to what had transpired with drivers pre-warned and people having to go to work on these roads:

~~~The Metroplex residents refused to obey the warnings to stay in because of the problematic driving conditions...they had stiff necks and broken legs from falling on the ice and spinning out on the roads...But police officers and rescue teams were ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to give tickets or yell at offenders, and did not abandon them.~~~

Certainly apologies to anyone who had any injuries due to these storms! As we go through weather related storms or personal storms it is good to be gracious and merciful to one another, remembering manners and offering helping hands.