I looked out the window at a foot of snow in my yard. Snow that hadn’t been stepped in. Pure snow in sweet drifts. The snow covers the dead grass, fallen leaves, wilted potted plants, upended sandbox, ruts and bare spots on the lawn. The fresh blanket of snow makes everything look perfect.
The blizzard of the century! That is what they were calling that snowstorm in Oklahoma. Before the weekend was over the whole United States had some kind of change in the weather, because of El Nino or something or other.
I remember working at the Glass House Restaurant during the winter of 1968 when we had a similar snowstorm. The Glass House is built over the Will Rogers Turnpike outside of Vinita and because of the storm, the turnpike was shut down and many people were stranded at the Glass House. There were people wall to wall. We sold out of food. The hot water heater went out and the dishwashers were running cold water. We employees worked many long hours and when I finally left, I drove an hour to make it two miles back into town. I was dog-tired but I felt fulfilled, because what I was doing benefitted a lot of people.
Over the years, I had to drive in all kinds of weather because of my job. One of the greatest benefits of my retirement is that now I can hide in the house in bad weather and not have to get out and drive.
In the Bible, snow is symbolic of forgiveness. Psalms 51:7, 10 says “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Isaiah 1:18 says Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Theologists call this the great exchange.
Jesus came to take away my old black evil heart and give me a clean, pure, white-as-snow heart.