BBC Radio Merseyside Thought for the Day 10/8/2006

We give thanks for the traffic light:
Gently ordering our movements on the road

Colourful sequencer of statutory commands; unceasing director of drivers and walkers; visible sign of a highly-planned system; repeater of red-amber-green rhythms all night and all day.

We praise the safety that they bring to our roads - taking the risk from difficult manoeuvres, clearing the way for traffic and people;

We praise the relief that they bring to our roads - easing congestion by regulating movement, creating pauses in the rumble of wheels;

We praise the tolerance that they bring to our roads - slowing us down, awakening us to the presence of others.

We give thanks for the traffic light:
Gently ordering our movements on the road

We bless those who design traffic lights; their ideas so straightforward we all understand;

We bless those who operate traffic lights; their behind-the-scenes judgements help our journeys run smoother;

We bless those who fix broken traffic lights; their rapid response keeps chaos at bay.

Give us grace to slow down on amber, to make space for others struggling to cross;

Give us grace to tolerate learners, stalling or taking their time to move off on green;

Give us grace at all times to stop on red, even when the road ahead looks clear;

We celebrate filter lanes and green arrows, for they allow freedom of movement;

We celebrate pelican crossings, beeping sounds and little green men, for the care that they take of people on foot.

We give thanks for the traffic light:
Gently ordering our movements on the road




(inspired by the work of Michael Leunig: www.leunig.com.au)