First Snow

With his legs crossed at the ankles, Papaw leaned against the door jamb of the bedroom. His blue eyes shone with the gleam of anticipation. It was a cold morning. My sister and I were burrowed down beneath at least two patchwork quilts in the big bed. Paned windows lined two walls of the bedroom making it the hottest room in the house in the summer and the coldest in winter. As we stirred awake, he called back over his shoulder in a muted tone, “Hey, they’re waking up.” My Nanny, mother and daddy quickly joined him in the doorway. Perplexed, my sister and I raised up on elbows and yawned. Then we saw it! Every curtain had been pulled back and Mason jars filled with snow sat atop both dressers and the nightstand. A winter storm had brought heavy ice and snow, our first, while we lay tucked in our bed in the chill of night. I later learned that my Papaw woke early, prepared our snowy display and stood on watch for over an hour to make sure he didn’t miss that initial look of wonder and joy in our eyes.

I can see God waiting in anticipation as we cast our gaze on his wonders. It might be a sunset, fresh snow on a ridge, the first blooms in spring or a newborn baby. When we experience that pure joy, it brings joy to our Savior…

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.” – Isaiah 40:26

It didn’t take long for the East Texas sun to melt the snow, but the ice hung on. I can’t count the photographs that capture me looking goofy and my sister Pam looking angelic. Like snowflakes, we are all different but wonderfully made by God.