If you watched the news last week, you probably saw reports of the complications of a major snowfall. Most news stationed carried stories about the many travelers who were stuck on I-95 in Virginia for up to 20 hours. The worst backup were in the Fredericksburg and Stafford areas. This is my neck of the woods.
Although the weathermen correctly predicted the timing and severity of the snow fall, many of us were skeptical. As we listened to the forecast on Sunday January 2, the temperature was 67 degrees!
The temperature dropped dramatically on January 3, accompanied by a major snowfall. Most neighborhoods in our area reported 12 – 15 inches of heavy snow. By 9 am on January 3, my neighborhood had lost power. It was restored 32 hours later. Many communities were without power for more than a week.
I was blessed by the helpfulness of our neighbors and to read about acts of generosity on social media. A Facebook friend without power reported that a friend brought over a pot of hot soup. One with power offered her basement to someone needed a warm place to spend a cold night. One of our neighbors plowed our driveway and many others. Another neighbor made a treacherous trip to the grocery store; while there he called us to ask if we needed him to pick up anything and advised us to not try to leave the neighborhood due to downed trees.
Adversity brought out the best in many people. They exemplified Christ’s command to care for those in need.
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25: 34 – 40
With the weatherman calling for more snow this weekend, I am thanking God for great neighbors who help one another in a time of need caused by weather challenges.
Susan's Reflections 