We’ve had such perfect snowfalls this season. Each one of them dropped just enough snow to cover my yard. There’s always a peace that seems to fall along with the snow and I find myself putting down whatever task I am performing to sit and watch the fluffy flakes fall slowly to the ground.
Because of the cold weather we’ve been having, the snow has stayed on the ground and I’ve spent a lot of time just staring out the window. In spite of my long list of chores, I can’t stop admiring the beauty in my backyard.
But, here’s the thing; my yard isn’t really beautiful. It has its issues. There are spots in the lawn that need reseeding. There are dead plants in the garden and summer toys left on the deck. Plus, the moles love to visit from the horse pasture next door to dig their new tunnels and hills.
But, all those things disappear with a layer of snow and my yard appears to be in pristine shape. Without any work on my part, the snow has turned it into a place of beauty.
It reminds me of the way I sometimes live my life. I too, cover up my flaws and try to ignore the fact that underneath the surface I’m the same mess. With a little work, I could improve myself. I have stacks and stacks of books “I’ve been meaning to read.” And, sometimes a layer of dust forms on my Bible before I open its pages. There are lessons I hear God whispering in my ear and with some effort on my part, I could learn those lessons and tuck them into my heart.
Instead, I blanket everything in white. I smile and pretend. Sometimes, I keep myself moving in the hope that I can outrun my issues instead of face them head on. Or, I float listlessly through life as if in slow motion and, before I know it, a day has passed and then another and another and still I ignore the mess underneath. On the surface, I may look put together and confident. But, the truth lies down where the mud and the mole hills are.
In Isaiah 1:18, it says: “…Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; …”
I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean: “Hey, cover your sins in a white cloak and pretend they don’t exist!”
So, as we enter into another brand new year, I have my work cut out for me and my goal is to face it head on. I will rip out the dead garden plants in my life and stomp down those mole hills. I will put in the work needed to get my house in order instead of trying to cover my messes with a pretty covering and pretending they don’t exist.
