Skip to main content

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!





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How great He is!

Today I had the rare opportunity to witness the sun rise AND set!  It was definitely a full day that started with taking my parents to the airport in Milwaukee, Logan's football game, lunch to celebrate my sister's and my birthday, errands, church, then grabbing the boys dinner! Phew!  But I was struck by the Lord's beauty, mastery and His ability to make the great expanse that is the sky and create something so stunning!  Then, at church tonight we sang How Great Thou Art! and I could find nothing more fitting!  I need write no more on this subject because Pastor Carl Boberg already said it so beautifully! Oh Lord my God When I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout The universe displayed Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee How great thou art How great thou art Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee How great Thou art How great Thou art And when I t...
What are you dreaming about?  Wishing for?  Waiting for? Just those questions alone can bring more to mind than your heart was ready to process.  I know it's true for me.  I haven't blogged for three years.  Want to know what one of my dreams is?  Writing!  Ironic, huh? In this past month I've switched some things up with positive results.  I used to wait to spend time with God at the very end of my day and that came with varying results.  Either I'd be so exhausted that I'd only muster enough to open up the Bible app on my phone and settle for just a nugget of God's truths that day.  Sometimes I'd get my Bible opened then be sidetracked by a nephew getting ready for bed or a whiny dog.  Sometimes, I'd forget altogether.  None of this made for a strong me. When the kids started back to school this year, I decided to make a change for myself. Instead of getting up at the same time as always, I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. al...

Bummer of a Day.....

I'm having one of those days where I feel like everyone's elses prayers are being answered, except for mine.  Ever have those days?  Yep, it's one of the woe-is-me moments that I'm not necessarily proud of, but am resigned to having every now and then.  I have actually witnessed many answers to prayers recently of people that I have been praying for....but, as for those people closest to me and me, myself....not seeing much. Put down the phone.  No need to call me and tell me that this is normal or that I'm being silly or that God loves me and hasn't forgotten me or that it's just Satan rearing his ugly head.  I know all of those things.  I'm just tired and weary today.  That's all. I am taking solice, though, in Psalms 147 on this bummer of a day.  (I 'm posting it below if you could use a little comfort, too.) One of the verses that stands out to me is vs. 13, "He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the people within you....