Today marks a bittersweet day in our lives and family. Seven years ago we said goodbye to our beloved brother, John Kretchman. Age 54 is too young in my opinion, cancer doesn’t care. Our family is grateful John had a relationship with Christ and is enjoying eternal life. I’m quite certain he’s pretty happy and creating havoc among the Heavenly’s.

A year ago I found myself in an ER department hearing “ you’ve had a heart attack Mr Kretchman.” At that moment I felt as though I was inside a movie, that this reality was not ours. We are grateful for quick care, successful surgeries, being surrounded by our children, pastors, and friends during a week that interrupted a normal Tuesday.

Changes have been made … different things go in the grocery cart now, more physical activity has been added. Meds are a daily routine.

We aren’t superstitious people to realize the anniversary of two events with two brothers. God doesn’t move and work in those kinds of realms; He is good all the time and it’s we who live and move in His plan and purpose.

We will see John again, that gives us great joy! We will continue to live our adjusted lifestyle until our own home-going.

A

This past week brought our community a few days of school closings due to snow, ice, and temperatures. For the safety of all school employees and children, time to stay off dangerous roads was necessary. This is Michigan and nothing to be surprised at as families make adjustments for the closures. I follow many young families on social media and it’s fun to read questions and comments —”do you think there will be a snow day tomorrow?”…”I sure hope the call comes early enough to make arrangements for my kids!” 

I remember those hopeful feelings myself. As a student in the 50s through the 70s, I recall sitting perched in front of the TV with the morning news tuned in, waiting for the school closing banner at the bottom of the screen to announce Saginaw City Schools are closed due to snow! Once those magical words appeared, off went the school clothes, into play gear and calls to friends on the telephone to arrange our day outside playing in the snow!

My two older brothers were charged with clearing the driveway and sidewalks. We lived on a corner lot so our amount of sidewalk was double compared to the other houses. Once their chore was finished, they threw their shovel over a shoulder and went in search of families to help, even hoping to earn a few bucks from an elderly couple or two.

This week my husband and I were out for a couple errands on Tuesday. We passed the community park and I glanced over to take a look at the sledding hill. It was covered with beautiful white snow, but there were no children with sleds.

At the end of December our daughter and I drove to Saginaw for a bridal shower. We took the road that routed us through South Saginaw and eventually to Washington Avenue which is home to the lumber barons’ homes, the Children’s Zoo, and a beloved place from my childhood–Hoyt Park. 

Every winter the city’s recreation department flooded Hoyt Park with millions of gallons of water, creating an ice skating rink along with hockey rinks at one end. It cost us nothing to skate or use toboggan runs at Hoyt. All we needed was warm clothes, skates, a sled and a few friends to enjoy a full day of outdoor fun. When our hands, feet and faces got too cold, we could sit inside the “warming house” until we thawed, returning to the cold for another round of winter play. I remember some days on the weekends when our dad stayed to sled or skate with us. Other times, our parents thought nothing of dropping us off at the curb with instructions on what time to be ready for pickup. Our only supervision for the day was under cold gray or sunny skies and following the rules of one or two city employees “manning” the warming house.

Seeing the empty sledding hill at the park caused me feelings of sadness. First, I recognized the contrast between how I couldn’t wait to get outside on a snow day to some kids today. Over the years I’ve noticed fewer and fewer children at our parks. I have my own thoughts as to why but that’s not the purpose of my topic this week. I’m willing to bet, however, that current technology and trust levels of parents are playing a large role in keeping today’s children inside warm homes. I understand concerns for safety and protection.

As sad as I feel, looking at empty parks, I am very thankful for my childhood years that included cold wintry seasons. Deep snowfalls allowed us to build snow forts, form an organized snowball fight in our neighborhood, find creative ways to keep snow from going into our boots as we trudged through drifts, catching a snowflake on our tongue and seeing how long we could withstand the cold before returning home, hoping mom had hot chocolate ready and rubbing cold red hands between hers to speed up the thawing process that mittens didn’t fully protect from hours of packing and piling snow.

I hung up my ice skates years ago. Sledding isn’t the best thing for me at my current age, but I still find ways to enjoy being outside after a good snow storm. Where we live I can walk on a road that takes me back to a wooded area where I can stand in the quiet cold air and breathe in its freshness. I am able to marvel at how snow makes different patterns on tree trunks and reveals numerous tracks from a variety of animals that live in the woods. 

I’m still careful how deep the snow is before taking steps into a drift. Warm mittens still adorn my aged hands. When I return home it’s “me” who makes the hot chocolate or tea…reminiscing and missing my mother’s warm hands rubbing cold little fingers as she assured me “you’ll warm up soon”…knowing at that age nothing could stop me from enjoying another chance to be outside with my friends to find ways to use a cold wintry day to our delight….and still acknowledging that though I may have some physical limitations now, I can still find joy on a beautiful snowy day.

I can still catch snowflakes on my tongue. And–admittedly–I can still make a snow angel. They always look pretty even if the “getting back up” isn’t very attractive! We still build snowmen when the snow is “just right”. 

A view of Hoyt Park from 2013, showing

 the newly remodeled warming house.

 Credit: mlive.com

Recently I posted on one of my social media accounts that I was thrilled we had finally received a significant amount of snow. Unsurprised, I read numerous comments that agreed with me as well as those who accused me of being crazy (in good natured teasing). Last week I wrote about snow, using scripture as word pictures how God describes our sins when they are removed. This week, I took a look at the practical side of why it’s important for us to have snow covered ground during the winter months. From the site almanac.com this is what they have published:

• Both rain and snow contain nitrogen that plants need, but snow by its nature provides a better delivery method. Nitrogen attaches to snowflakes as the snow falls through the atmosphere. In addition, nutrients are slowly released into the soil as the snow melts. This is especially effective early in the spring when the ground is thawed, allowing nature to provide a gentle fertilizer boost to plants! 
• Snow is mostly air surrounded by a little frozen water, and despite how cold it feels to the skin, it is an excellent insulator of the soil and plant roots. 
• Snow protects against wide temperature fluctuations in the soil. Under that cozy comforter of white, the roots of perennials, bulbs, ground covers, and strawberry plants are protected from the freeze-thaw cycle that can heave tender roots right out of the ground. Without snow, milder temperatures and the sun could warm the soil surface, leading to damage from soil heaving, which can break roots and dry out plant parts.
• Snow is winter mulch
• If you didn’t get around to mulching your garden this past fall, a nice blanket of snow can serve the same purpose! Never remove snow from your yard—it’s Mother Nature at work. Snow cover is valuable winter protection for your expensive trees and shrubs.

Once again, science and the divine meet in agreement with these words from the prophet Isaiah. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.” (Isaiah 55: 10)

In addition, how many of us can deny we weren’t excited for a “snow day” when we were attending school? And, why as adults do we still enjoy these unexpected days of rest? Personally, I’ve asked myself that very question–”Sue, why do you “love” being snowed in?” So, I typed that question in my search engine. Lo and behold I found a wonderful quote by Helena Fitzgerald! “For adults, snow days feel like divine permission to rest” and “unexpected time off after a snowfall feels like a gift because it removes the pressure to be productive”.

As someone who considers herself to be a life-long learner, I’m very pleased to have science teach me about the practical benefits of snow along with the affirmation that a beautiful blanket of knee deep snow causes my heart to jump with joy! Yes, I also acknowledge  there will always be folks in my circle of friendship who may scoff at my unabashed love for snow. My response to them and anyone mumbling against its beauty is simply the words from Psalm 118: 24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

The next time you’re home under a big snow storm, rest. Take a much needed break from daily demands. Read a book. Watch a good movie. This spring and summer, when it’s planting time, thank God for the free fertilizer He poured out on your garden soil and flower beds. And, if an attitude adjustment is necessary–rejoice!  “A happy heart is good medicine, but a broken heart dries up the bones.”  (Proverbs 17: 22)

SNOW, OCEANS, EAST & WEST–SIN?

In my column I wrote last week, January 1, I described my love for snow which included a lament that we have not enjoyed a significant pile of it in our area–yet!! Hope beyond hope resides in my mind that we will get one “big” snowfall before we begin thinking about all things spring. 

I even gave a little bit of science behind how snowflakes are formed and how they are unique in nature. This week, I am expanding on another aspect of snow and science, how both show up in scripture as teaching points for us.

A good place to begin is recognizing that according to God, every person on earth past, present, or future is classified as a sinner.  Paul said it this way: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Paul did not say “some people” or “certain people” or “only this type of person”. He said ALL. That’s you. It’s me. Therefore, no one escapes this truth. 

 How do we define sin? Paul gives us a short list in 1 Corinthians 6: 10-11: “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Because God is loving, desiring that not one person be eternally separated from Him, He provided a way for redemption from our sins. Furthermore, once we are in a relationship with Him and confess with repentance He makes more promises how sins are dealt with: “ As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

“God casts (hurls) our sins into the sea, where they sink like a stone. Such an act of grace caused Micah to ask, “Who is a God like you …?” (Mic. 7:18).

The amazing thing about scripture is how science backs up what the ancient authors wrote. Did you know that east and west never meet? And, While we’ve made incredible strides in exploring and understanding the ocean, the bottom of the ocean remains one of Earth’s last frontiers. The extreme conditions of crushing pressure, darkness, and frigid temperatures present formidable challenges that we’re only beginning to overcome. (source oceanexplorer.noaa & quora.com) 

Do you think that it’s a coincidence that once sins are forgiven God has no further use for them? I’m inclined to believe there’s a good reason for making them irretrievable.

Also of great comfort is how God takes a person’s sinful nature and transforms it to becoming a new creation. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord taught of the power of the Savior’s Atonement. “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

Maybe you don’t like snow. Many people don’t because of the cold weather. Or the thought of driving to work and errands makes you apprehensive when it’s knee deep after a good storm. Regardless of how you feel about snow, it’s my hope that as you consider how the early biblical authors used visions of white snow and the perilous depths of oceans to illustrate how God deals with our sins, will cause you to pause. Take a deep breath. Lay aside any preconceived ideas you’ve had or still wrestle with in your mind. Surrender any pride and come to a place of humility recognizing that in the small word “all”….a three letter word that encompasses EVERY human being from the time of creation into our present and future..is included in that total. Maybe you need to read Paul’s list of sins again. They aren’t comfortable words by any means.  Some are sins we don’t talk alot about with our friends and family. Nonetheless, they are recorded for us to read, acknowledge, and make a decision to remain part of their sinful nature or embrace the promise in Paul’s encouraging words of verse 11: “But you WERE washed, you WERE sanctified, you WERE justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”  Take note, however, you cannot be washed, sanctified, or justified without FIRST coming into a relationship with Christ which is your personal decision by responding to the message of the gospel. 

Until our sins are forgiven, they hang like filthy rags adorning our body. Once confessed, they disappear east and west…become.buried in an ocean’s depth where no man can retrieve.  Even God Himself will not need to go searching for them. He’s that good, that loving. He is for you and not against you. He has provided a way out from the burden of a sinful nature. That way is Jesus.

If you enjoy music, look for the recording by Ann Wilson “My Jesus”. You’ll be blessed. 

Anyone who knows me well can tell you how much I really like snow. I’m not certain why these beautiful frozen crystals intrigue me, but they do. I am amazed how millions of water droplets falling from clouds turn into either a light dusting on the earth below or a winter blizzard that brings a halt to everyday life.

Each flake we see during a snowfall has begun with a tiny droplet of cold water attaching itself to a dust particle or a dot of pollen as it makes its journey. The flake will form six sides to its shape, not four and not seven–six–every single one. And, depending on the temperature and humidity of the day, the final snowflake from origin to landing may alter. That’s pretty cool! (no pun intended)

Snowflakes are not the only original creation to marvel. You and I are unique creations, too. Just as science can reveal mysteries behind a snowflake’s formation and ultimate pattern, God’s Word illuminates the wonder and awe of how each human is created and formed. We find a beautiful description in Psalm 139: 13-16:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (New International Version)

There you have it! If you’ve ever wondered, God created you. He knit you together. He made you. You were not unhidden from Him. He wove you. He saw you before you were formed, while in the process of growing in the womb, and life was mapped out for you ahead of your arrival outside the womb.

You are you and no one else is identical to you. Even identical twins, though formed from one egg, have slightly different DNA. THESE facts alone cause me to truly pause and take in how unique and magnificent our Creator is as the one who formed the earth, spoke into existence all that we can see, touch, and smell….and made male and females in His image to enjoy all of creation…and above all to take pleasure in having fellowship with Him.

Knowing that no two snowflakes or no two humans are exactly alike is proof enough for me that each one of us matters to God! I didn’t grow up reading the Bible like I do now, so as a young adult when I FIRST stumbled upon hearing someone read the above verses from Psalm 139 I was blown away! My hope and prayer for anyone reading my words today will be encouraged, intrigued, and assured that your life has purpose, and no matter the number of days “ordained” for you by God, you have importance and value.

Snowflakes hit the ground and eventually melt into the earth. You were born into a world created by an awesome God and one day you will return to the earth, too. In the meantime, what will you pursue? How will you enjoy the beautiful gift of life that you’ve been given?

I plan to dig deeper to know God more intimately, and, if we ever get a good snow storm I will reflect on my own uniqueness and purpose as I live out “all the days ordained for me”.