The Snowman, The Spirit, and the Snow
On Wednesday morning my kids excitedly told me that it had snowed. As they looked out the window, with wonder and excitement, they asked me if I could build a snowman with them.
My first thought was selfish. I thought how cold and wet it would be outside in the snow. I thought about the work involved digging their snow pants, winter coats, hats, and gloves out of the back of the closet and then trying to force their feet into boots that always seem too tight. I thought about the shoveling that needed to be done. I thought about the dishwasher that needed to be emptied. I thought about the recycling bin that needed to be put out. I was tempted to say, “No,” but then I realized how important this way to them.
I realized that they wouldn’t always be young and clamoring for me to do stuff with them. I realized that every snowfall isn’t ideal for building snowmen. I realized that there was nothing I would rather do than play with my kids for an hour. I realized that moments like this must be seized. I realized that there was nothing I wanted to do more than give my children what they had asked.
The words of Jesus then came to my mind: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13).
If I, being selfish-minded, still knew how to give a good gift to my children, how much more will God give the Holy Spirit to me. All I need to do is ask. Are you having a hard time lately? Ask for God’s Holy Spirit to fill you afresh. Are you struggling with some temptation? Ask for God’s Holy Spirit to fill you afresh. Sometimes we don’t have because we don’t ask (James 4:2).
As we braved the cold, we laughed and played. It was a quiet winter wonderland. All the dreary gray of leaf-less trees were replaced by a fresh covering of pure white. All the drab-colored streets were replaced with a light covering of white snow. I told the kids that whenever I see a fresh covering of snow it reminds me of how God covers our sin. He takes the stain of sin and covers us with his righteousness. The Scripture says
Psalm 51:7 – “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “ Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow.”
So, next time you see the snow. Pause and thank God for the forgiveness of your sin through Jesus Christ. And that though your sins were like scarlet, God has cleansed and forgiven them, and washed you so that you are whiter than snow.
And yes, we also built the world’s greatest snowman, complete with raisin eyes and a carrot nose!
