A friend just posted the following on her Facebook page… “The two hour school delay just turned into a snow day… And the children rejoiced!!!” I, too, absolutely love snow days in the Willamette Valley.
I love the anticipation of it coming, and the memories of when it came before. Yet most of all I love when the light and serene flakes begin to form the beautiful white blanket over everything ugly, barren and rotten from the autumn past. For me, waking up to an early morning of fresh powder seems to reach an innocent and child-like part of me that brings an unexpected peace and joy every time it snows.
Today is just such a morning. After a week of bust hustle and bustle, waking to the snow on the valley floor was a welcomed sight for a weary soul. Almost a surprise and bonus sabbath day. For a few hours that early morning, everything heavy and stressful seems to slow to a simple and peaceful crawl. For me it is a wonderful and welcomed reminder of the strong and abiding presence of the Lord.
Unfortunately the snow doesn’t last forever. Eventually the thick white blanket often turns to a crispy layer of dirty slush and can become more of an annoying hazard than a special treat. But though the snow and feelings of bliss may not linger long, I do take comfort in the fact that God’s presence will never leave or forsake us. His love and abiding presence will not melt or fade away. No matter what burdens we carry, stresses we feel or season we just came through, the Lord’s mercies are new every morning. His daily provision of grace and mercy is big enough to not only cover our worst mistakes, heaviest burdens and challenging circumstances, but as we turn our eyes to Jesus, He swallows up the shame, pain and stress… they can disappear in the light of His glory and grace.
I’m grateful for the angel’s announcement recorded in Matthew 1:23 that God made his way into our human experience through the coming of Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” As we look to and remember this great provision of peace and hope, may we receive Him as a gift that meets our child-like needs, as we respond with child-like faith as we turn our eyes upon Jesus.
May grace and child-like peace accompany you today!
Much Love,
Pastor Dusty
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel, 1922
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Hillsong Version of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
Isaiah 1:18 NLT
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.