White as Snow.....

Yup, our house...it's still snowing....lovely Vancouver weather....abnormal, but lovely.

We had such a great time playing in the snow this passed weekend....the boys built snow forts, skating ramps and had snowball fights! It was good to just let them go while I got to stand in the warm kitchen drinking coffee waiting for them to rush in with the latest "He hit me" or "so-and-so won't stop bugging me" or the classic, "so-and-so threw a snowball at my head!!"

Yeah, it's bound to happen...the whole snowball in the head thing...what'd you expect to happen during a snowball fight? Silly boys.

Despite having to work during the weather surprise, Tim and I had a really peaceful weekend...and managed to get sooo much done as a result of being confined to our home.

I think God knew we needed a couple days of peace...a quiet house....the peaceful snow gently covering every inch of the city....the only sounds in the house are the furnace, the fireplace, and the occasional telephone call. It's given us time to rejuvenate, set some priorities and thank the Lord for providing the snow. It's an amazing reminder of His creativity and beauty.

It also reminds me of how faithful He is to give me many "second chances". There have been days this week when I have been frustrated and low....vulnerable to temptation and open for sin and yet this snowfall has led me to Psalm 51...no doubt King David was in a similar place when he wrote this.....

1 "Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar."

He is so faithful to forgive, so willing to start afresh and make me white as snow...and He doesn't just COVER the sin with snow like the blanket of snow that covers the ground, He penetrates it causing me to be transformed.....He washes me so that I am white as snow. *sigh* I am broken.
May He encourage you with His love and kindness!