The Great Snow of 2015

The southeastern United States have been dealing with an unusual amount of snow and ice over the past few weeks. I realize it does not compare to what other places in America have been facing, but for us southern citizens it has been an ordeal.

The transportation and highway maintenance people have been doing a stellar job in preparation for the coming snow and ice. They have diligently applied brine to the highways and issued multiple warning for the people to stay off the roads. All in all things have been good…BUT

It got me to thinking. What can we learn from driving in the snow and ice?

1. Don’t assume anything.

Sometimes all the preparation from others does not make a difference. Even though the roads are treated and prepared they still proved to be dangerous to travel. Drivers are responsible for their own actions. This is true in all of life. Each of us is responsible for our actions. More than one accident has been the result of putting all the liability of driving on the perceived work of others. One person said, “I thought the roads were safe because of the salt!” You are responsible for your own preparation. You cannot trust your life to the preparedness of others.

2. Slow down.

In the snow and ice I watched drivers attempt to pass others and move at the same speed as they would on a dry highway. In their arrogance and false assumptions they believe that they are capable to drive in this stuff. In life, there are times we need to slow down in our decision-making processes. Most of us to not make life and death decisions so it would behoove us to slow down, take a breath, and reflect before we react.

3. Sometimes you need to stay home.

Over and over again people were urged to stay at home unless it was absolutely necessary to venture outside. It appears most people felt like they had to get outside. In our decision making process a lesson I have learned is this: Stay put until you are certain you are told to move. Too numerous to count are the number of times people have asked me about a life change to which I ask, “What was the last thing you know [for sure] God told you to do?” If the “last thing” was not “this new thing” I tell them to stay put until they are sure God is directing them.

I hope you were safe during the recent bouts with snow and ice and that you can take some of these lessons with you into the balance of your life.