That Wretched Snow

Monday, February 26, 2001

Matthew 18:3-5 – And [Jesus] said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (KJV)

I am writing this on February 6th, and, after many days of warmish weather, we've wakened to a dusting of snow on our Lotus Land lawns on Vancouver Island. It is crisp and cold with a few flurried snowflakes scattering wildly — aimlessly in the winter wind — as if anxiously looking for some definitive direction. A crow sits and caws mockingly down from the top of a very tall tree.

As I put out the garbage, a toque-topped walker greets me with a smile and cynically says, "Got a little cold overnight, didn't it?" A friend had phoned and remarked how lovely the weather had been "and then we got that wretched snow!"

An ambulance siren wails anxiously. Perhaps someone has had an accident because they didn't account for the road conditions.

As I walk my route before the school bell rings, three little children are in their glory, squealing with glee, for the smattering of snow combined with the hump of their terraced lawn provides just enough slick to get a good slide as they ride down on a round plastic device appropriately called a "saucer".

Although I like a brisk walk in the cold, crisp air, I can empathize with those who, in hurrying to work, see the snow as a hindrance. And I can understand the hesitancy to venture out in the cold or to chance where there perhaps may be black ice. However, the squeals of laughter and sheer delight remind me to thank God for the gift of children who, when we are tempted to take a negative view, seem to show up at exactly the right time to put everything into its proper perspective.

We are told we must become as children to enter the kingdom of heaven. This isn't something that can be accomplished at the very last minute. What better time to practice than to seize these special moments such as seeing the significance of several kids sliding down a little slope just before school starts.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, if we can't join in physically, may we mentally and emotionally become as little children, seeing the positives when presented with what we, as adults, see as a negative. In your name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

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