After years of waiting the snow finally came and stuck! It wasn't like one of those disappointing times where snow is predicted, the grocery store shelves are emptied out and nothing really happens. This snow wasn't just a few hours of scattered flurries landing on warm ground and then rapidly disappearing. 

Everything was just right for a great accumulation of these wonderfully white snowflakes to amass on the ground, the trees, and everything in its path. The snow falling from the sky doesn't discriminate on its target. The snow falls everywhere and covers new cars, older cars, and rusted out shells of vehicles in a clean, pure blanket of whiteness. Everything looks stunning!

Isn't it amazing how quiet our surroundings become. This thick layer of freshly fallen snow absorbs the sound waves and softens our senses. This beckoning silence calls to us; inviting us to be simply still and appreciate the wonder.

Do you remember the next few days when a layer of ice formed on top of the snow? The crunchy sound of boots piercing the top layer added a new sensation to this winter panoramic experience. The reflectiveness of the sun's rays whispered volumes as the landscape was bathed in a echoing soft glow. How easy it is to see The Creator's handiwork when we are quieted and stilled; taking the time to just look around us.

But why did the snow stick? It could have simply melted away and we would have missed out on this fascinating spectacle of beauty. 

This makes me think about what makes things "stick" in our lives. 
Jesus told a story about a farmer planting seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up, it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.

"The seed scattered on the road represents someone  hearing news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the enemy of our souls comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. 
“The seed cast in the gravel is the person who hears and responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it."
“The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the Kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and more strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it."
"The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams."

So, just like the snow that fell and stuck to the ground and produced a significant accumulation we too must put our hearts in a favorable position to listen to what Jesus says. Otherwise this 'snow' will simply melt and disappear.
May the 'snowflakes' of Jesus' love be welcomed inside the central part of our lives. May they accumulate and produce a change in the landscape and fabric of our souls. May our hearts and minds be covered by the snow white forgiveness that He offers freely to all who chose to believe.