Another week is starting with snow on the ground. The morning is gray and the trees behind my house are bare for miles. The blanket of white and the dreary forest is actually quite beautiful.
Beauty notwithstanding, I don’t love the snow and would much prefer March to be starting off with mild temperatures and sunshine. But as I was reminded this morning, I cannot control the weather. Duh, right? But I have a point.
Last night we finally made it out of the house after being cooped up for about five days. We needed groceries and we really needed to stretch our legs. As we pulled into the Costco parking lot, My four year old made a comment about how he did not like weather. Not just cold or rain or ice, but the all-encompassing term weather. It was four year old hyperbole and it made me laugh.
We all get that way, though. Grumbling against more snow. Against ice that cancels dinner plans or rain that postpones games. This past week alone, we had to call off two dinner dates with friends, our MOPS meeting, and even church on Sunday because the roads were so icy. We were getting stir-crazy and missing our friends.
It’s easy to remember to teach our children to thank God on the sunny days when it’s nice to be outside enjoying the weather. It’s easy to thank God on the first few snow days when the sleds (laundry baskets?) are pulled out and snow cream and hot chocolate are enjoyed inside the warmth of your home.
It’s not so easy to remember when the weather makes us grumble and winter lingers long, its biting chill cutting into our eager anticipation for Spring.
This morning was humbling as I read about God’s ultimate control over the earth, and specifically the weather. Providence led me to Psalm 147 which says,
“He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.
He casts forth His ice as fragments; Who can stand His cold?
He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.”
God’s control extends over the weather. He ordains the snow that falls and covers the ground. He calls for the ice that spreads across tree limbs and streets. He even ordains the time in which it will melt and turn our yards into muddy fields.
But God’s sovereignty is so much greater than simply ruling the forecast. Read Job 37 (to your kids too!) and be humbled by God’s greatness and power.
“From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen.
Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightening.
It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
that it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth.
Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness,
He causes is to happen.
Listen to this, O Job,
Stand and consider the wonders of God.”
God is holy and majestic. He is kind and loving. He is to be both feared and praised.
Let these snow days be an occasion to start sowing seeds of fearing the Lord in your children. Share with your kids today who sends the snow. Teach that He is in control, that He is good, and that He can be trusted.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7
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