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White as Snow

This weather.  

I could end this blog with those two words and I don't think anyone would think anything of it.  This winter has been crazy!  I don't remember a winter where we have dealt with such extremes of frigid cold, heavy snow, rain, sleet, thunder storms, crazy wind AND ice storms - all in the matter of two weeks, either!

One thing I think we all can agree on is winter's beauty!  Some would prefer that the beauty of winter stop happening now. :)  Some, like my sweet friend, Kim, can't get enough of winter!  

Currently as you drive around town you will see huge piles of snow that have been plowed out of the way of parking lots and streets, leaving mounds difficult to see around.  But, as winter drags on, the most disgusting part of winter to look out besides the monster-sized potholes threatening to eat our vehicles is the dirty snow.

Bleck.  I hate that.  What was beautiful as it fluttered to the earth, or lately, spiraled viciously towards us, is now black, gray and nasty.  Gone is the sparkly wonder.  In return we're left with disgusting mounds reminding us about what was once beautiful.

Driving past one particular mound of ickiness this week, I thought about how easily we turn what the Lord gives us so beautiful and perfect and pure and turn it to ugly and imperfect and dirty.  We don't always mean to, but it happens more than we care to admit.  We buy it, we look once more at it, we think it, we say it, we long for it, we don't walk away from it.  We ruin what is perfect.  

The harder part to accept is that sometimes we do things accidentally.  We start out with good intentions and a good execution of the plan, but something goes awry.  Kinda like the snowplows that are doing well and good to clear our streets, BUT they come by just after you've finished shoveling for the 49th time that day and plow BACK into your driveway what you just cleared!  Good intentions, but poor execution.  Sometimes I intend to bit my tongue, but instead say it anyway.  Sometimes I intend to forgive someone, but instead I stew over the situation.  Sometimes I intend to get up early to spend time with God, but instead I succumb to the sleep that pulls me back under.

Thankfully, we have a God who forgives and can make us pure, clean, holy again.  There is no way to turn those once beautiful mounds of snow white again.  Once it has been touched by the elements all around it, it is now dirty.  But, for us as His children, we have the knowledge of Isaiah 1:18, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..."  

As I thought of this, I remembered an old hymn we grew up singing in church.  I'll leave you with it...


What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 


Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.


For my cleansing this I see—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!


Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!


This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but  the blood of Jesus!





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