Snowing...

     Wow.  All I can say is Wow!  God is putting on a snow show and reminding us Who's really in charge!...and it's not us.  Here's how it all started around noon or so--

     

      Snowing to beat the band and so beautiful...but still not amounting to too much.  But it kept on coming and just a half an hour later, it looked like this--

     And then a mere thirty minutes later--

     Good night!  Hard to believe it could accumulate so quickly!  And then about a half hour later--

       It's dark outside now, but trust me, there's a LOT of snow...and now it's sleeting.  Ugh.  Not that I have anything against sleet and freezing rain...except the potential for POWER LOSS!!!
      So, in addition to praying earnestly that the sleet stops and the power doesn't, I'm trying to put into practice what we've been learning in Philippians...and "Rejoicing in the Lord always, again I say, Rejoice." (Phil.4:4--maybe the best verse ever).  Even if that means rejoicing in the Lord along with cold feet and hands, candles and flashlights (which, truth be told, are actually kind of fun), no hot baths (now that will be painful--but trying to "Count it all joy!"), multiple meals involving bread and milk since we have loads of both,  a continuously running dryer..or at least till the power goes out, children in school till about mid-July, and trudging through snow and sleet with an energetic puppy who thinks snow is a grand idea.
     And don't tell anyone...but deep down,  I have to agree.  Because despite all the aggravation and interruptions to our plans, how can you not stand amazed at the astounding beauty and serenity of a blanket of snow.  Seriously, think about it: the same drops of water that form April showers and create May flowers also can be formed into countless tiny, lacy white masterpieces.  Each one utterly unique, each individual.  Yet each perfectly different snowflake joins together with all it's buddies to create a soft, pure white covering on the earth.
     Wow.
     You truly are amazing God.
     "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose; and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isa.55:10-11)
     God will fulfill His plans and purposes.  Every single one of them.  And all His plans are good.          Can you stop the snow?  Or the sleet?  Or the rain?  How about the sun from setting?  Didn't think so.  Nor can you or I or any of us thwart the perfect plans and purposes of Almighty God.
     Sometimes it's just good to be reminded of Who's really in control.  And to remember that He who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-sovereign is also all-loving, all-forgiving, and all-gracious.
      So maybe it's time to just relax in His embrace.  If He can keep the earth turning on it's axis while blanketing it with snow, I think He's got you covered in His love too.  So maybe just curl up and rejoice in His love on a cold winter's night.  Or maybe like Bingley, you can settle down in some warm laundry fresh out of the dryer--

     Ahhh.  Our Savior's got us.  To God be the glory.