In 6 Months, I'll Want Snow
But as it stands today I'm ready for it to be gone.
I live in the South. I live in the South purposefully. It’s not just some little happy accident of geography. God put me here because He knew it is my home on this earth. And one not insignificant piece of my joy in this place is, undoubtedly, the mild winters. Oh, we get temps in the teens a few times each winter. We even get some flurries. But it’s rare that we have snow— real, substantial accumulation— more than once every few years.
This, apparently, is one of those years.
The ground (and everything else out of doors) has been white for nearly a week now, and any soft spot I had for it is long gone. I don’t like snow. I don’t enjoy it. Sure, it’s pretty as it drifts from the sky, but have you tiptoed on an icy creek bank to fill a five gallon bucket with freezing water, then lugged it back through 9 inches of snow to fill the waterer for pigs? Have you ever gotten a toddler wrapped head to toe in snow gear for their twenty minute excursion into the winter wonderland? Have you ever had puddles in your laundry room from where someone stamped the snow off their boots and just left it there to melt? Oh, how I long for the days of spring and summer!
You probably have your own stories to tell of braving the elements. But as I slogged my way back from securing the cattle in the barn tonight, I was reminded of a solid truth:
Our hearts will never be satisfied this side of heaven.
As a child, I remember reading the story of the Israelites from Exodus 14 and 15. Their constant laments left me feeling so superior. They whined about water and food and everything, failing to see the blessings lavished on them so freely by the Lord! Who would do such a thing?
Who, indeed?
I feel sheepish when I look full in the face of my own grumblings. Yes, the snow makes the chores take twice as long. But, each flake is an individual masterpiece. Yes, the snow has lost its charm, driving my children inside for much of the day. But, the memories being made as we read aloud to one another and sip cocoa. Yes, my dryer has run nonstop with a whole wardrobe of wet winter gear and my bathroom has been taken over by damp wool. But what a blessing to have a warm house to burrow into on the coldest days!
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5
In six months, I’ll be wishing for a break in the heat, and dreaming of the days when I could walk to the barn without feeling breathless from the press of the humidity . Our hearts will never be satisfied this side of heaven, but I can still strive to be content with what I have here, today. And what I have is a ton of snow… and Jesus.
In Christ,
Heather