Talk about it until it is time to brush off the car, start the car and load the kids into the car for school.
We knew it was slick as we walked out to the car with our footing slipping beneath us. "We got this" I thought as I slowly headed down the hill. First corner, we did great. Slow and steady, no slipping - YES!
And then we began driving on roads were others had made the trek before us and patted down the fresh snow, opening the frozen ground below - ice. ICK!
It was one of the worst days I've seen as far as driving goes. The roads were not graveled and cars tended to go a bit too fast. Even those who weren't going fast were sliding into other cars or down the hill. It was ugly. I was no exception.
We were moving very slow, but somehow slid very quickly into the curb. I quietly say "thank you Jesus" when I hit the curb and not the car inches from the side of me. We back out and slowly move away from the other cars and onto the road again. Cars still stopping and sliding. Busses sliding down the hill into cars, cars pulling over and calling it quits as many have already slid into one another.
Knowing if I could get to the bottom of the hill, I could certainly get the kids UP the hill to school, surely they'd have the main road graveled. HA! Not a chance.
I began to follow the line of parents up the hill to the school. I'm keeping my distance as I see them sliding and slipping in front of me. I pull over. Alex, our little neighbor is being loud and well crazy in the backseat. After pulling over I turn around and tell him "You need to calm down. You are stressing me out and with the roads like this we need to calm down". My daughter (oh I do love my sweet little mini me) turns to Alex and tells him "You need to stop talking and start praying Alex! There are cars wrecking all over the place, why are you being sucha spaz?"
OK, she coulda left out the spaz part... I overlooked it as it warmed my heart that my little mini was in the backseat quietly saying prayers for those around us. Is there anything more heart warming than a child who initiates prayer on their own? And even more wonderful, praying for others. It may have been 23' outside but my heart was so full of warm it didn't matter!
I had been praying all morning myself. Many a "thank you Jesus" when the tires slipped and I found dry ground. And lots of "Ohhh keep them safe" as we watched car after car collide. And my own "keep you hands on this car & theses babies safe Lord". So grateful that no one was hurt yesterday - bumpers and bang ups but God kept us all safe. And I say again Thank You Jesus.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalms 56:3
A short stint on the side of the road concluding we'd freeze before we'd make it up the hill, I decided it was best to take the kids with me to work and wait it out. Wait for the gravel to be laid so there was traction to make the climb.
Upon hearing the roads were ready I once again loaded the kids up. On the way to the car my sweet mini says "momma, please just take us straight to school and go straight back to work. I don't know what I'd do without you". I squeeze her hand and tell her that she need not worry that we're safe, I wouldn't drive if we weren't all safe. She squeezes me back and says "I'm still gonna pray for you when I get to school" I smiled, kissed her and told her thank you.
I truly believe, if I teach my children absolutely nothing else - I must teach them to have faith and compassion. So wonderfully blessed with the gift of them, and so abundantly thankful they both are filled with faith & compassion. God is so good!