by Michelle Fitzpatrick Thomas

In honor of the beautiful snow that blanketed part of the Southeast today, I wanted to share some thoughts. Snow is a very rare occurrence here in Georgia, so when it happens it’s a major event. We just aren’t used to it or prepared for much of it, so schools, businesses, and government buildings close when we have wintry weather. You Northerners can make fun of us all you’d like, but we would rather be safe than sorry around here.

Maybe I’m a bit odd, but I love snow. It’s possible that I wouldn’t love it if we had more of it, but to me it’s a beautiful reminder of God’s creativity and it helps us to take notice of the magnificence of His creation more than usual. We are forced to slow down when it snows. We stay home and spend time with our loved ones while the roads are dangerous. We build snowmen and drink hot chocolate. I adore it.

When the weather forecast calls for snow a day or two ahead, it’s almost like Christmas is coming. People rush out for milk and bread, in case we are stuck at home for several days, so the grocery stores and roads are often packed. The excitement in the air is palpable.

Even though I love having snow, I get antsy after being stuck at home for two or three days and by that time I’m ready for a thaw. So, it’s a good thing I live in Georgia and our winter storms are usually short lived.

I helped one of my kids do some research about snowflakes while it was snowing a few years ago. Did you know that there are over 35 distinct types of snowflakes, according to SnowCrystals.com’s “Guide to Snowflakes”? Pretty amazing stuff, right? What strikes me is that these shapes don’t happen just by chance. They aren’t simply blobs of ice stuck together; they have definite geometrical patterns and shapes. They are amazingly intricate and uniquely beautiful—just like us.

Check out the graphic below from Ken Libbrecht’s Guide to Snowflakes (Used by permission):

If God takes that much care in designing each different snowflake, just think how carefully He crafts you and me. He doesn’t make mistakes.

I wonder sometimes about God’s purpose in making me. I have many, many faults; I struggle with paralyzing fears. I know that I disappoint Him sometimes, just like I disappoint my loved ones here on earth. I’m not perfect, by any means.

At those times when I’m feeling especially insignificant, I can remember the Psalmist’s prayer in Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

I love what Bob and Larry tell us at the end of each Veggie Tales episode, “God made you special, and He loves you very much.” Thank you, Lord, for snow!

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7