My childhood is framed by snowy winters that have yielded a series of stories for my own children to hear. Which, yes, includes walking two miles in three feet of snow to school. I never saw it as hardship . . . while there may be some exaggeration to my stories . . . perfect memories of the sun shining on the snow drifts casting reflections of God-colors on the land . . . were formed in my mind. Once the snow began to cover our town, the harsh reality of the struggles of life seemed less pressing as if peace had arrived. Life slowed down, we were more intentional of what we did and where we went with the increased challenge of inclement weather.
My children will tell you about the excitement in our own home when the snow began to fall The first falling flake triggered a domestic extravaganza before we went outside to sled down the street, make a snowman, and pelt one another with snow balls. The atmosphere of our home offered comfort and warmth as we shook off the snow and removed our wet clothes so we could sip on the hot chocolate which simmered on the stove, taste the homemade chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven, and play monopoly. By the way, while the description of this perfect picture of home may be a normal for you, we most often were in a rushed-hurry-up mode . . . except for . . . the times it snowed. The reason? The snow changed our household routine allowing us more time to focus on each other and life at home.
In my perspective, snow is God's reminder: it's going to be okay, despite the challenges of life.It makes me think about how the Exodus people looked forward to snowing manna . . . that came despite their past decisions that led them to a season of wandering in the desert . . . and became their daily reminder that God continued to work in the details, had not forgotten them, and would make all things in their life come together for good.
Can you imagine the excitement when the first flakes of the manna would hit the ground or how it felt to
wake up to the freshly fallen manna every morning?
Aside from the beauty, the people could visually see the provision of God covering them.
The manna was a real message, as timely today as it will be decades from now: "It's going to be okay!" ~When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need (Exodus 16: 14-16, TNIV).The Exodus people had snow days for forty years. Manna, snowing down from heaven into the desert, revealed God was present, even in the hard places of life, and would provide for their needs, covering them with a tangible peace, changing the way they lived. The thing is . . . I want to live each day . . . as if it is a snow day . . . anticipating daily manna from heaven.
Slow down. Pay attention to the presence and provision of God. Trust God for daily snowing manna that will sustain you and give you peace. Remember with God, regardless of what you are facing, the details of the circumstances of your life will work out, and it's going to be okay.Learning to Kickstart the day with anticipation of snowing manna . . . knowing with God . . . it's going to be okay.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED) (Exodus 16: 14-16, TNIV).