Old Man Winter has pulled out his big guns this year and is pelting us good. I’ve run the course of emotions, from aggravation to self-pity to depression because of not being able to get out of the house. But every time I feel any of these negative feelings I have to remember my reaction to the first big one just before Christmas.�

When I climbed out of bed that Saturday morning, pushed back the curtains and looked outside, it took my breath away. Everything, everywhere was pure white—every limb on every tree, every blade of grass, the frozen pond. I ran from window to window. The roofs on all our out buildings were wearing top hats of at least fourteen inches of sparkling white. Everything ugly was covered.

“How beautiful! I whispered as I feasted on the scene. “Oh Lord, this is what you meant when you said, ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ ” I could do nothing but worship Him. “You’re blood has covered every trace of ugly sin in my heart and life. Thank You, thank You!”�

I sat down to meditate. What about some of the ugly sights we see as we go from here to there? Things like neglected home sights, neglected crops in the field, garbage dumps and gob piles, as the miners call their waste dumps. Even these are beautiful today.�

Then I considered all the other kinds of neglect that goes on in our world? To neglect means to fail to give proper care, so wouldn’t it be wonderful if God would let His spiritual snow, the blood of Jesus, cover the ugliness of neglect in every person’s heart. Then it could spread to our neglected families, neglected communities and our neglected nation?
This is what He desires to do, if we will let Him.��

Dear Lord, as David cried when he was confronted with his wrong doing, we cry out. Wash us and we shall be whiter than snow. Against You, You only have we done this evil in Your sight.� Please let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, and wash us once again. –Rebecca Somoskey�