It's Snowing - on a Saturday

Whenever it snows profusely on a Saturday, knowing that Sunday is coming I am always slightly confused. Is it meant to stop all activity for the entire weekend? Or just for today? Is it meant to slow us down and remind us of what it means to stay at home? Is it God, the artist, painting a scene so incredibly beautiful that we can do little but simply enjoy it?

As I look out our balcony window at the thick flakes of snow, falling with complete disregard to tomorrow, to worship and a visit from my friend Dee, both of which are presently in question, I am touched by how peaceful everything appears. It's as if all the problems of the world have receded for today. The falling snow has leveled the playing field of our agendas and schedules.

When it snows, we always lose something. In the case of the Pruett-Barnett household, we will not be returning our zillion boxes of Christmas paraphernalia, which I worked so diligently yesterday to repack, to storage. Our loss concerns only our time; while the losses of others may be a great deal more costly.

When it snows, we always gain something. In my case, as I look at the snow flakes falling, each one unique like fingerprints, I delight in knowing that the one who designed the snow flakes to shower snow upon the earth designed me for a specific purpose. If the Creator could care so much about snow flakes to make a mold for each one, what has that same Creator done in making me?

When it snows, the adult in me is reminded that there is a need to simply enjoy life; to put on our boots, our caps, our gloves, our coats, and go out and play; to fall backwards into the snow and make a snow angel, to roll snowballs and make a Frosty or to throw them at friends. Tomorrow we'll figure out how to dig out the car so we can get to Grace Church or even whether or not Grace Church can be gotten to. In the meantime, over a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, I'm going to enjoy the winter wonderland that is being prepared for us. I hope you enjoy it too.

Prayer:
Gracious God, who watches out for each one of us, be with those men and women in service occupations that put them out on the roads this snowy day. Keep them safe and warm; get them to wherever they need to go without harm to themselves. Especially be with the crews who are cleaning the roads of our state, the streets of our cities and towns, and parking lots. Give them the strength they need to complete their tasks. Thank you for their dedication and their willingness to place themselves at risk. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.