Sunday 19 December 2010

Snowy Days

Pretty predictable, I know, but I decided to blog about the snow. I love it. I love the way that it changes out landscape, the way that it falls so silently and causes such chaos. Well, it causes chaos in England!! I love playing in the snow with my kids. I love making snowmen, igloos and sledging. I am not a fan of snowball fights (I'm a bit of a girl like that) but any hilarity in the snow, followed by a mug of hot chocolate is a good thing, as far as I'm concerned.

I grew up in a great church, where the pastor prayed for snow every Christmas. I joined him in his heartfelt genuine prayers, which have not been answered...until this year!!! I think that this will be the first White Christmas I have ever seen, and to say that I am excited would be an understatement!! I am so excited to see the line of snow balancing on the top of the wall outside, as I look through my bay window, which is studded with the reflection of little golden tree lights. As I wrap presents, sip my tea, and watch Christmas films, I seem to be glimpsing out every five minutes, just to make sure that the snow hasn't thawed, or just in case it has started to snow again!

I know that snow causes lots of problems. I know that it stops emergency vehicles from getting to people in need of help. I know that the cold weather causes even bigger problems for those with no heating and those with chronic painful conditions. I know that getting from A to B becomes a big issue. This morning, I read that the economy may be headed for another downturn due to a lack of shoppers. I understand the difficulty for those trying to get to work, school, hospitals and family. I cannot even begin to imagine a night on the streets in the snow.

But, bearing in mind all of the problems that the snow causes, I am still grateful for what it does. I makes us to stop. It lets us remain inside, with family. It gives us the opportunity to play together. It forces us to "make do" with our available supplies of food. It causes us to consider those who we cannot get to, and therefore how much we value those friends and family. It encourages us to empathise with those who may be without heat, a roof, a family.

This afternoon, Dave, the kids and I went out to a nearby park to go sledging. As I looked out on the park, the railway that runs alongside it, the duck pond at the edge and the trees which enclose it, I found myself asking God what he wanted to say to me in the midst of this unusual weather. As I walked, I noticed how quiet everything was. I could here the water rushing under a drain cover. I could here the individual voices of the children, including mine, who were playing. It was very, very peaceful - quite a contrast from my "normal life".

It made me thankful as I considered that chaos to us, is a plan from God. As life goes on hold after various surprises in life, both good and bad, God is never surprised and uses the times for his Glory and for our good. God wants us to stop. He wants us to rest on certain experiences. He doesn't want everything to "fly by". He sometimes wants us to take time to play, laugh, sleep, grieve, think, listen, snuggle, watch. Our natural reaction to chaos is to kick against it. We try to get to where we want to go, even if it isn't safe. But, God has us where we are for a reason. He doesn't make mistakes and he never leaves us. With that in mind, shouldn't we take surprises and chaos and use them to our advantage? We need to submit to chaos sometimes. It's there for a reason.