With a fuzzy blanket wrapped around my waist, a thick sweater, and leg warmers on, I glance outside at the falling snow and my breath slows. My breathing rhythm becomes steady and I take the fullest breaths I have in a while.
Normally sitting still for a few minutes is a challenge for me. Especially mentally. I’m always thinking of what needs to be done or what should be done. However, when it starts snowing, something about its peacefulness leaves me captivated and my agenda seems to melt away.
While I find the way winter decorates herself to be stunning, I must admit I truly hate driving in it. The wonderland is beautiful when I have no place to go, but when I must drive somewhere the magic slowly fades as the responsibilities and to-do list grow larger with each snowflake that falls.
Driving in the w
inter reminds me my life isn’t about me. I am forced to follow others instead of leading and taking care of myself and my own needs. I’m forced to follow others tire runs on the highway and snow plows to make my path clear. I am humbled and shout prayers to my steering wheel with each snow drift I go over.
You see, I am a firm believer that winter is for grace. Winter is the kind of beauty that comes with a whisper that says, “Look to me Ariel. Look to me for your everything. For your safety. For your identity. For your peace.”
Today wasn’t one of those days that forces us inside. But it was indeed one that made me stop and remember what grace truly means, and how beautiful it is.
Chris Tomlin wrote a song in 2009 commenting that God could have come like a hurricane, full of power and strength. He could have come like a forest fire or a tidal wave, crashing all around us so we couldn’t ignore him. But he didn’t. He came like a winter snow.
His coming was small, silent and still.
Just like today.
Winter is for grace.
