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By Myrtle Virginia Thompson

For most of us, waiting sometimes has ill effects, like stress. We are in a hurry to get something done or to get somewhere. We have schedules to keep. We want to “get on with it,” whatever “it” is. Waiting has a longtime kinship with stress. We all want what we want when we want it or when we are expecting it. Waiting on something or for someone is not easy.

I was surprised to find waiting for the snow to fall was just one of those foolish times when I was impatient. We were promised snow, several inches. When I went to bed, there was only a very light covering on the sidewalk. A moderately strong wind was blowing on that, bringing on small drifts. I was awake at 1:30 and could not resist checking at the front door. There it was, the anticipated beauty of snow! My waiting was satisfied. I went happily back to bed. Now, this Saturday morning as January closes its doors on the first month of 2022, I am joyful.

January has not been a happy month. The news has been a tangled mess. Anyone listening to the media portrayals cannot help but have concerns about what is happening, not only in our own country but all over the world. Thousands, if not millions of people are on the move, looking for some kind of change or security. There are shortages in the grocery stores, some apparently  due to imposed regulations because of concerns we may not understand.

We try to regulate our lives with plans that do not always work out, and we often find once again we are playing the waiting game. We anticipate the next move we make will bring a measure of satisfaction. Sometimes it does; sometimes, we find more disappointments. Life on planet earth has never found complete fulfillment since our first fathers sinned thousands of years ago. Why is it that way? That seed of sin from our first fathers entered into our DNA and remains there, causing us to mistrust the Creator God.

Is there nothing we can do about our condition? Yes, there is, and the snow is the reminder.

We can have a  change and a new relationship with God when we ask for His cleansing from sin. The Scriptures continually affirm that with confession of sins and submission to God’s will, we can have the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is God’s will for us and His creation. Isaiah reminded the people of his day, “Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.” (1:18)

Yes, the snow will require a cleaning up, but so does the sin in our lives. The earth is renewed when the snow has melted. The obedience in doing the cleanup is another lesson. Our lives are renewed when we get into a right relationship with the God Who first planned for His creation.

Let the beautiful white snow of God’s creation be a reminder to fill our lives with His Word as we await what February will bring us.

 

Myrtle Thompson, 93, is a local author, Bible lover and teacher. Contact her at mvtgrt@gmail.com.