Many of us across the country have been dealing with snowstorm after snowstorm lately. I can’t speak for anybody else, but I know I’m ready to pull my flip-flops out of the closet and sit in the warm sunshine on our deck again. I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.
This week as I’ve contemplated snow (and I’ve had a lot to contemplate), I’ve seen God’s fingerprints in a number of different ways, so I thought I’d share those with you.
I think snow is one of God’s ways to make us slow down. For many folks, it means having a day (or a couple of days) off from work. It seems like families have more time to spend together as they sled, build snowmen, play games and enjoy leisurely meals together.
I’ve enjoyed the news feed on Facebook this week as friends have shared photos and videos of their winter wonderland and of their children bundled in so many coats, gloves, hats and boots that they’re almost unrecognizable.
The smiles on all those little faces–and sometimes big faces–have warmed my heart. God’s snowstorms provide fun and helps us make memories.
One of our biggest snowstorms arrived earlier this week. As I stood in my kitchen looking out the glass doors late one night, it felt like I was inside a snow globe. The snow was falling steadily and piling up quickly.
I opened the door for a few minutes to enjoy God’s handiwork, and I realized something: Snow makes the world go silent, so silent that I could stand there without distractions and worship the God who controls the snowflakes.
Did you know that snow can even taste delightful? A bowl of fresh snow mixed with milk, sugar and a dash of vanilla provides a delightful snow cream.
Snow can be beautiful. It’s a symbol of purity, and I love seeing how the ugly imperfections in my yard become lovely when covered with a blanket of snow.
It always makes me think of that verse, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” It’s wonderful to visualize how God can take the imperfections of our hearts and turn them into something pure and clean and lovely.
While snow can be beautiful, it can also be dangerous for drivers. I’ve had way too many experiences of sliding out of control on the country roads near our house. It’s not a fun thing to do. Snow can shift our schedules and cancel our plans–providing a reminder that He is God and we are not.
I’ve discovered that slick snowy roads can do wonders for my prayer life, and I’m so grateful for the many times He’s kept us safe through the years.
Snow can also serve as a reminder that He’s a God of great detail. He makes each snowflake unique–just like He made us unique. If God cares enough to make each snowflake one-of-a-kind, why in the world would we ever think that He doesn’t care about the details of our lives?
So next time a snowstorm heads your way, enjoy the beauty of His glistening masterpiece. Stop for a few minutes and see where you can discover His fingerprints in the snow. And then take a moment and thank Him for making your sins as white as snow.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow… (Isaiah 1:18a)
