SNOW!

WE HAVE SO MUCH SNOW!!

In case this is an issue of contention and bitterness about the multiple feet of snow that has fallen in the last month, please stop reading here. For the rest of you, who share my "weather geek" fascination with the aptly named "Snowcalypse 2011", let me share my thoughts with you.

Snow has always fascinated me. I loved playing in it as a child, whether it was sledding down our massive hills at home, or building snow forts and having snowball wars. Also, it was always awesome when our parents would wake us to let us know we had no school...BONUS! By the way, that really hasn't changed as an adult - I still LOVE snow days. Snow is pretty cool (pardon the pun).

As an adult, my fascination has waned a bit. While I still get a thrill out of watching weather forecasts predict large snowfalls and still enjoy seeing it fall out of the "permacloud" that is a midwest winter commodity, my love isn't as great. More so now, I see it as a hazardous substance that could put me and my car in a ditch somewhere in the country. I also hate cleaning it off my car. The sheer fact I have to stand in the stuff, while the wind blows coldly, makes me grumpy. ARGH!! Ok, all of those negatives aside, I have found that snow correlates quite well to my faith. This is something that happened over time, but I think God means for me to learn from it. For instance:

* Snow is pure (for the most part). Until we shovel it aside, put salt into it, get it dirty, etc., it is undisturbed, virgin material. God made us originally pure and virgin, but along the way we shovel that purity aside and throw the grime and gunk of our sinful actions into it. Thus, we ruin what God intended to be perfect and undisturbed.

* Snow is FULL of variety and uniqueness. No two snowflakes are the same. Just as no two people are the same, God has made us to be a unique part of His masterpiece. Genesis 1:31 reads that He called us "very good", setting us over His creation. We were each intended to play a specific, unique role in His story. Often times, we forget this and try to be something that we're not. We want to be JUST LIKE so-and-so and why don't we look, talk, act, you fill in the blank, like such-and-such. If we actually took the time to listen to God and find out what HE wants us to be, then we would, I think, find great satisfaction in being WHO. WE. ARE.

* Snow is fragile enough to melt at the slightest warmth, but can also cause massive destruction to the biggest of foes. Look at how snowstorms in Minnesota tore right through the Metrodome, a HUGE facility. Also, how many cars have we all seen flipped over, smashed up, and sitting nose-up in a ditch because of slippery roads or poor visibility? Snow can cause quite a mess. We also, like snow, have our fragile moments, but in making one horrible decision or one selfish act, can cause a multitude of problems for ourselves and others.

* Snow makes all things new and refreshed. The world looks like something new is being unveiled. Like a new painting, sculpture, invention, etc. that is getting ready to be unleashed to the world. Snow refreshes the earth, providing moisture that will make spring all the more verdant and beautiful. God washes us clean. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die to give us that newness. Daily we can come to Him and lay our dirty laundry at His feet, and time after time He forgives us. WOW! Why?! I am constantly amazed at the longevity of His love for me. Thank you, GOD!!

So you see, my fascination with snow has matured. I still love to grab an inner-tube and go tubing and yes, sometimes make snow angels, but now I think I have a better understanding of life. Yes, it still bugs me to clean my car and to shovel pounds of snow away, but I thank God for showing me a little piece of wisdom in the "white stuff".