Crosses Beside The Road

Devotional for Wednesday, March 31, 1999 by Mary Daniel

On a recent trip to the north-eastern part of our province of British Columbia, Canada, the farther north we travelled, the more I was saddened to see what seemed to be a high number of fatal accident memorials beside the road along the way: crosses. Some bore a picture; all were laden with flowers, some artificial, others real and fresh; some bore other memorial tributes.

Thoughts of family and friends receiving the tragic news and facing the place where their loved one's life was taken, weigh on one's mind. The memorials remind us that someone lived, was loved, and died at that spot. If we are going fast, they remind us to slow down. If we are sleepy, they remind us to pull over. If we are distracted, they remind us to focus on our driving. No matter what the cause of the accident, the memorials teach us that we too, or those we love, may lose our life on the road. They teach us to "number our days" and, in being thankful for our safety and our lives to date, we "apply our hearts to wisdom".

As we journey into Easter, may we remember another cross beside the road: the cross Christ carried, was nailed upon, died, was buried from, and arose that we who journey on His road will have everlasting life.

Prayer: Bless those who have lost their lives in car accidents, Lord, their families and friends. Bless those who find the courage and strength to erect crosses beside the road which serve far more than memorials, and which teach us to respect and be thankful for our lives. And thank you for the love you showed us on the cross, in giving your life for us. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

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Today's Music:     O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded.  

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