The Snowflake

I’m quite sure many of us have heard, if not said, “I wish winter was over!” I mean, really, how can one not wish away the freezing rain, driving wind and blinding snow? And what about those -30◦C days? However, in all fairness to those who love the wintry outdoors, I will concede that winter can be beautiful, that freshly fallen snow on a sunny winter’s day does tend to sparkle like glittering diamonds scattered across an open field. And I will admit that one could experience quite a rush standing at the top of a long hill (I can’t bring myself to say mountain), and then letting loose on the long ride to the bottom, whether it’s on a pair of skis, a snowboard or a toboggan. But winter is not for me, and I hope that’s okay with those that anticipate, even pray for, a heavy snowfall.

So why this gentle rant about winter?

I belong to a writers’ group. Five of us meet fairly regularly to encourage one another, to teach as well as learn, to commit to doing homework, and to come to our meetings prepared to share the results of our endeavours. On one such occasion, Kathy Z. shared her thoughts on winter, specifically snow.

After a time of illness, she’d pondered the question, Does anyone truly just stop and enjoy the simple things in life? Thinking further on this question, she was reminded that even creation takes time to appreciate and enjoy life: “…the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12). As a result of these ponderings and the forced respite her illness created, Kathy wrote the following, personifying a snowflake, giving it a human component.

The Snowflake

Why do we tend to complicate everyday life? I’m sitting here in the quietness of a winter’s morn, watching a wondrous sight: Snow… falling to earth ever so softly, blanketing everything in its path. Together many snowflakes can be so strong. They can shut down airports, highways, snowplows, trails, and businesses. Some might land in the quietness of a forest or beside a riverbed. Some might look down from a high mountain top, while others will look up from the valley floor. Still, others may land on roads, highways, or sidewalks and are trampled on. Yet a single snowflake is so fragile that it melts as it touches a warm rosy cheek.

Can you imagine the absolute joy, wonder, and freedom to be a snowflake? Beautiful collectively and stunning on its own, it free-falls from heaven, joyously relishing in the wonder all around it as it is joined by millions more.

A snowflake does not concern itself with what will happen to it as it gracefully lands on a tree branch, rooftop, or playground, or rides the winds of a blizzard. No parachute is needed. It just falls and leaves what will be to its Creator. It does not choose where it will land, but fulfills the purpose of its Creator. It knows the final outcome is not for it to decide.

Just a simple, tiny snowflake, uniquely made for God’s glory.

Listening to Kathy read The Snowflake, I found myself lost in the moment, visualizing a God-created wintry scene, very tempted to take time to enjoy a walk in the sunshine the next time it snowed!  If the mountains can sing and the trees of the field clap their hands, why shouldn’t I? After all, I am made in the image of my Creator!

Even so, as Kathy was drawn to the question Does anyone truly just stop and enjoy the simple things in life? I found myself wondering if I am one of those unfortunate individuals who does not take time to stop and “smell the roses,” as it were. Am I too preoccupied with daily demands that I am missing something beautiful? Am I caught up in the worries and stresses of life that I have lost my way? I was forced to consider what would happen if I tuned out the noise around me and took time to notice the small things in life, to enjoy God’s creation… even a snowflake.

Through this beautiful prose, I was again reminded of Who is in control of this world, of our country, of my life. God is! He is the great I AM, the One who knows the number of hairs on my head (Luke 12:7), collects all my tears, (Psalm 56:8), and controls the number of snowflakes that fall (Psalm 148). What would happen if I listened to God’s prompting in His Word to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)? Would I know Him in a way I have never known Him before? Would I be able to enjoy the simple things in life more than I do?

Lots to consider as I watch the rain fall!

God’s voice thunders in marvellous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
Job 37:5-6