A throbbing headache pulsed through my brain as I sleepily pulled on clothes. It was Saturday morning and my class started at 8:30 am—and it wasn’t scheduled to end until 5 pm.
I desperately wanted to go back to bed, but missing even a few hours of this class would cost losing valuable information that I needed to know. Then I remembered:
Today is Valentine’s Day.
I looked down at my navy blue shirt and blue jeans. One of these has to go. I was determined not to wear the funeral garb of a depressed single on the national pink and red day of romance.
Since I don’t own a pair of pink or red pants, I changed into a red sweatshirt that had light blue heart designs on the sleeves—even if it is the same thing I wore last Valentine’s Day.
My headache was bordering migraine status and I was feeling sick and dizzy when I finally pushed open the door of Bethany Hall.
The mystic silence that has accompanied snowfalls since the beginning of time met me as I entered a fairyland of big drifting white snowflakes—and this is not even the magical land of Narnia. Everything was covered in a delicate layer of snow, and a sense of delight swept over me.
I am aware that the word “snow” may create in my readers a mix of emotions from fear of its evil cousin, Ice, to the grumpiness that follows disappointed wishes for the warmth and sunshine of spring. But for about two years now, snow continually points me to its Creator. It doesn’t matter what time of year or season it should be, snowfalls will always help me catch a glimpse of God’s mysterious and unfathomable love for me.
I think I even smiled as I started down the sidewalk. Just because I don’t have a boyfriend doesn’t mean I’m not loved.
I had walked past a little white candy sweetheart sitting forlornly on the wet cement when my curiosity—and perhaps my sentimental girl nature—got the best of me.
I walked back and stooped down half expecting a corny message like “Get Lost” or “Got Love?” to be written on its surface. But wait, the pink words were partially washed off but I could just make out—
“Be Mine.”
Were those tears that stung my eyes or just the cold wind?
He didn’t have to do it.
An unexpected snowfall points me to an outer-worldly God Who exists outside of time and has no need for my love—but offers His unconditionally.
Someone’s forgotten candy heart whispers a worldly message that symbolizes love, and turns it into a sweet reminder that God delights to be a part of my every day.
Both embraced me with the warmth of real God-love.
Love that reaches through space and time.
Love that can touch me no matter what time of day or season.
Love unshakable and love unchangeable.
Love that holds the promise of eternity with Christ.
On the days when it is so easy to think of what or who I don’t have, do I remember Who and what I do have?
Yes, my head still throbbed and I still had a long day of class ahead of me, but is He enough?
Or is He just a forgotten and unappreciated part of my daily life?
Only His touch can make the dreary and the forgotten truly beautiful. Only His finger can leave sweet messages on the sidewalks of life.
My Dear Laurie, this is beautiful!! That is SO special that our Lord would provide such a reassurance for you to see on such a day:-). His love is all we need, and so many times we just don't see it! Love you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun pause about snow--I definitely agree. And it is so awesome when God sends us messages like this! He loves us so much!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, that was so beautiful!! I love how God sends His love letters to us in such precious ways.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the way you wrote this post. It's just so... you-ish!!! =)
Love you and miss you!! <3
Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. You write beautifully, and I really got lost in it; almost as if I was in your place living that day. Your post was a great reminder for me. Is God enough for me? Is He really all I need, or is He left forgotten? Is His word left on the shelf to collect dust as so often I find it? This was a positively delicious post!!
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ReplyDeleteGreat writing! A good reminder of the all-sufficiency of God.
ReplyDeleteMistakes with relationships in the past have left me aching, but God always draws me back to Himself. No matter how many friends I may vent to, I always come back to Him when I need true comfort. Even when the hope of human companionship leaves us, we are never alone, eh?
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ReplyDeleteok, sorry everyone for not commenting until now. For some reason my browser (Firefox of all thing!) won't allow me to comment on my blog or anyone else's blog. I couldn't figure it out until a friend helped me with it over spring break...
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your comments, I LOVE hearing from you! You've all been so encouraging and it makes me so happy to be able to share these things with someone other than the pages of my journal! :-)
I really enjoyed reading this post it was vary different in message from what I got at that time. I was bombarded on all sides with the message that if you are not in a relationship with the opposite sex then you somehow are not loved. But then what else could you expect from people who deny God, they are reduced to the physical that is reality to them.
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