a cautionary tale...

 I generally like to write fun, light hearted articles for this blog, but my experience today must be shared.

The day started off early, but very well, with a church bus ride to a Presbytery meeting in Indianapolis.  The ride was uneventful and the meeting was good, providing those in attendance with up-to-date information about what's going on in the Presbyterian church regionally and nationally.  In addition one of my good friends experienced her 'examination for ordination,' a Q&A session in which she answered a variety of questions from random members of the gathering (almost all of whom were ministers).  I am happy to report that she did very well and has been approved for ordination.  She has already been called to be the pastor of a local Presbyterian church, and will be installed there later this spring. 

That was the good part of the day.  On the way home, driving north from Indy on I69, traffic slowed to a halt, and we sat in our bus not moving for more than an hour. Then gradually we could crawl along at about 5 miles per hour, left lane only open.  People checking their phones learned that there had been an accident involving a semi and a car. I was sitting on the right side of the bus so I had a view of everything.  At one point a huge tow truck, suitable for towing a semi, passed us on the right.  We could all guess where he was headed.  Finally, finally we passed the site of the accident.  Before I realized it, I was looking at the car involved in the accident.  It looked like a lump of charcoal.  I hope and pray that whoever was in that car got out before it burned and I grieve for everyone involved (including the first responders) and the families of all those involved.  

Please think of this, say some prayers, and drive a little more carefully when you're out and about, for your sake and for the sake of all those who love you.