Once upon a time there was sunshine and snow…

A couple weekends ago, during the worship service at my church, we sang the old but familiar hymn, Jesus Paid It All.

Later that week while fixing lunch for my family I found myself singing the words,

“Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed…”

As I sang the last line I glanced out my window and stopped mid-stanza. Outside the sun gleamed warm and bright against the snow that filled our yard. Snow so white and brilliant with sunshine, it hurt my eyes to look at it.

“…He washed it white as snow.”

The words rang from my soul.

As I stood and stared at the scene out my window, at the snow, at the splendor piled deep in our yard, truth piled deep in my heart.

In the middle of my day, in the middle of apple peelings and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, God gave me a visual of what this song is all about. I felt Him, and sensed Him, and heard Him say, “This song is for you. This moment, for you. This snow, this beauty, all for you. A picture of how I see you.”

If you’re like me, living in the great white north, take a moment and look out your window. Really look. Look at the snow. Look at blankets of white and flakes that sparkle like diamonds.  

If you don’t get to enjoy the snow like I do, then Google it. For just a moment forget about emails, and Facebook, and Pinterest, and scroll through pictures of snowy white mornings or winter landscapes.

And see for yourself. Know it down deep that this picture, this beauty, is a reflection of you. A picture of His work in your heart.

It’s what He sees when He sees you.

Sweet friends, may you wake up this day to the fairy tale found in the radiant beauty, the awestruck truth, of a winter wonderland and a heart washed white as snow.