snow
Every now and then a picture from everyday life strikes me fresh. No analogy is perfect but there are some that resonate and linger in a unique way. Here in the southeast we recently had a lovely snowfall that covered everything. And for this southern girl to be able to make a snow angel and not see dirt and grass underneath, was pure bliss. I know the snow is old news but I cannot seem to shake the pictures. So here is a simple conversation that might help children, or the child in your own heart, grapple with these thoughts.
In the evening it started flowing down. A blanket to silence the deafening noise of frenetic activity. One brilliant reflector of everything light, creating a glow even in the darkest of the night. Each fingered branch, open field, warm home, still road...covered.
Next to my house is a graveyard. Surrounded by trees, barren in the dead of winter. The whole scene was covered in snow.
And maybe, just maybe, all of this snow came to cover over and make beauty in the dead places. To reflect The brilliant Light in the darkest night.
That snow pictures the clean beauty of a forgiven and cleansed heart that has let go, agreed with God and obeyed (Isaiah 1:18). A heart that has changed from dark to light. From death to life. Snow itself even praises the Lord (Psalm 148:8)! When Jesus rose, that glorious defeat of death, the whiteness of His clothing was compared to...do you want to guess? Yes, snow (Matthew 28:3)! That the Faithful and True coming One to reign will Himself be clothed in a robe like white snow (Daniel 7:9). And Jesus when He comes back, His head and His hair will be white like snow (Revelation 1:14). And He says, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!" (Revelation 1:17b-18a).
So let Him come and make your dead places a place of beauty...of life forever!