THE SLOW OF SNOW:
Recognizing special messages and reminders that come with snow
As I’ve settled into the new year, I can’t remember starting one with so much snow! These past few weeks I’ve been surrounded by a snowy, frozen, crystally delight. It started at our little cabin at Crystal Mountain near Greenwater, Washington.
I love to retreat to our A-frame to escape the hustle and bustle of life and just take time to slow down. Our family decided to spend Christmas week there and enjoy the festive, wintry surroundings.
Take a quick tour of our cozy A-frame cabin at Crystal Mountain
The snowy theme has been very prevalent in our family this season. Our little granddaughter, Isla, has been mesmerized with the Disney movie Frozen and morphing into the main character, Anna (one of the princesses). I have enjoyed watching and playing winter wonderland with her on FaceTime.
We imagine the icicles that hang from our cabin eaves have become frosty telescopes and are a marvel to see. Showing my granddaughter snow for the first time and the delicate, intricate snowflakes has been a joy. Isla was tickled when I said, “It’s a winter wonderland!” and I began to really wonder and ponder with fresh eyes, like my granddaughter, the special message and reminders that come with snow.
Isla dressed as Princess Anna from the movie Frozen
Icicles on our cabin make frosty telescopes
Important Reminders We Learn from Snow
I would love to invite you to come with me into my cozy cabin and sit quietly by the crackling fire, feel the snug, soft blanket of snow quiet your world and learn a few amazing lessons from the miracle of this brilliant, white substance — a true gift from God. Lately, the snow has caught my attention and has helped me to realize several important reminders I think are a message for us all.
Our crackling cabin fire
1. First of all, snow is an invitation to meet God outside in His beautiful creation.
We enjoy so many fun winter activities. Hours on end are spent skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowman building, sledding and snow walking in the winter wonderland that the Lord provides for us to enjoy.
2. Snow slows us down.
The word snow is speaking loud and clear — slow. With just one consonant change “snow” becomes “slow” and ultimately is the reminder for me to slow down. It forces me to take time to sit and be quiet. The world around us comes to a halt and gives us a chance to catch our breath and take time to quiet ourselves.
3. Snow gives us the chance to be still and soak in the moment and savor the presence of the Lord.
As I sit snuggled up in our cabin, I imagine the blanket of snow outside as the arms of the Lord wrap around me, quieting both my soul and the worry and anxious thoughts that can overtake me in a flurry. I can settle into the promise that He’s got me covered in every area of my life.
4. Snow shows us the incredible handiwork of God.
As I stood outside our cabin, my mitten held up to the sky like a baseball glove, I was ready to catch a single snowflake. I was overjoyed to share this wonder of winter with my granddaughter. I couldn’t help but see the fine fingerprints of God in the intricate detail of each snowflake that fell.
Each one of us is like a snowflake: uniquely created, precious and known to Him. He sees us, knows every detail about us and has a purpose and plan for each one of us, His daughters. As the flakes displayed themselves upon my mitten I caught the secret message of a loving sentiment in the snow: I had met God outside and He wants to love on us in the details of our lives.
I think the most important reminder of snow is the ultimate message from the Bible. I was fascinated doing a little research on snow and found that it comes up 23 times in scripture. Several references are to the gospel message, the great news of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins. I love that we can experience snow and see firsthand the pure, bright, white of snow which is such a powerful reminder of the grace and forgiveness for our sin and how clean we are in His sight.
“Come now, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
This winter, I hope you can enjoy some snow time and when it falls on you let it be a reminder to slow down, be still, and soak in the peace and promises that the Lord has for you.
With hope and light,
