Thunder Snow

I'm sitting here in my office writing...  The usual pretty view from my desk out to my backyard is now blocked by a snow covered window screen - courtesy of the wind and swirling snow outside.

Yesterday, in these here parts, we reached 60 degrees!  It was glorious, especially because there was no wind.

It was hard to take the forecasters at their word that we were going to have a major snowstorm today.
But, then again, here in New England, that's how we roll.  lol.

I admit that even at my age, I still get excited about a snow day.  There is something about a snowstorm that changes the mundane into wonderful...

A day off from work

A day off from school

Sledding

Hot chocolate

Slowing down to just enjoy looking out at the countryside covered in a fresh blanket of snow.

And of course, childhood memories of snow days gone by, filling our minds with pleasantness...


Growing up we lived in a Leave it to Beaver neighborhood.  True Story.  Snow days were the best!  I can remember waking up in the middle of a school night to look out the window at the street light to see how much snow was coming down and how much was on the ground. I would then make a determination that surely there would be no school the next day and would jump up and down with glee and then crawl into bed with a big smile on my face falling asleep until morning when my hopes would be confirmed!

YAAY!  NO SCHOOL!!

Our house was at the top of a big hill, just as it started to flatten out.  During big snowstorms,  our road was usually the last to be plowed which allowed for amazing sledding - pretty much right out our front door!

Most of us kids had flexible flyers.  Those of you who are my age will remember them well!  :-)

And those of you who aren't familiar, this is what they looked like.  :-)

Flexible Flyers came in a short version and a long version.  Since I am quite tall, I had a longer one.   Two could fit on it at a time!

The steering mechanism was awesome which we would either steer with our hands if we went down on our bellies or with our feet if we sat on the sled.

The neighborhood kids and I would have contests to see whose sled would go the farthest.

Mine ALWAYS went the farthest!

I can still feel the exhilaration of sledding down that hill which was right outside our front door.

Oh what fond memories! Even the parents would join in for some sledding!  The whole neighborhood - children, mommies and daddies would enjoy the snow day to its fullest.

I can still feel the stinging of my cheeks and feet when I would finally come inside, my snowsuit and boots drenched from the snow, mouth watering waiting for a delicious cup of hot chocolate.

And then we'd go out again for some nighttime sledding.  That was the best!!

We all slept good after a day out in the snow.  Such wholesome, healthy, innocent fun...


As adults, we can find ourselves longing for days gone by...  Our minds seem to remember mostly the good while it blots out the bad.  In so doing, we tend to romanticize the past, when indeed it may not have been as wonderful as we remember it in total.

And isn't that how life goes.  It's not supposed to always be wonderful...

If it were, we would never find our need for Jesus nor would we ever experience the special joys that come after trials.

However...

There is a longing that God has built into our hearts...

Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. 

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, 

for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16

We can look forward to a better country where...

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, 

and death shall be no more, 

neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, 

for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Oh what joys await those of us who are in Christ Jesus!

But, as it is written, 

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, 

nor the heart of man imagined, 

what God has prepared 

for those who love him”—

1 Corinthians 2:9

There is nothing wrong with fondly remembering times gone by.   It truly is good for the heart.

 It is when we continually live in a state of longing for the past that we are wasting the present.

A life God has called us to live present in Him... 

For “‘In him we live and move and have our being’

Acts 17:28

When we live and move in Christ Jesus, our longing and solace won't come from the past, but will be rooted in the knowledge of God with us and in the knowledge that we will live with God for all eternity...

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. 

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. 

But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God...

“Behold, I am making all things new.” 

Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ...

Revelation 21:1-3; 5b

The Lord has taught me a few more things on this snow day...

Believe it or not, this photo was not taken in black and white,
but is the exact representation of what the lens saw...

A morning which started out rainy, in an instant, turned into a raging blizzard complete with thunder snow.   

Life can be that way too.  It can totally change in an instant...  

But as I heard the loud rumble of thunder above the howling wind and snow outside, I was reminded that the power of God is ALWAYS present.  Even though we can be deafened by a swirl of emotions, God's power can peal above even the loudest of storms in our own lives and calm them completely.

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:28-33

And the birds, my favorite of God's creatures...

Eating at the bird feeders in a frenzy, getting their fill, while the storm rages on...

In the midst of life's storms, the birds have taught me the importance of continually and voraciously feeding upon the Word of God, filling up on His promises to sustain me/sustain us for the duration.

I guess you could say I have a new item to add to the list of what makes a snow day wonderful.

A time to slow down to reflect upon the beauty of God's creation, even at its wildest, and in gratitude, to thank God for His provision of grace and knowledge through the storm...

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