Like many of the rest of you, here in Indianapolis we had our biggest snowfall of the year a couple of days ago. And throughout the week of slipping and sliding on the roads and getting bootfuls of snow in the back yard with my dog, I’ve realized a few things.
For one, the postal service isn’t nearly as scrappy as their slogans make them out to be. “Through rain or snow or sleet or hail” probably applied back when they delivered mail on horses, but I haven’t received even a piece of junk mail since Tuesday.
Also, shoveling fresh snow is MUCH easier than shoveling snow that’s been plowed off the road and dumped in front of my mailbox. (I’ve shoveled out the mailbox three times, and still no mail!)
The other thing I’ve been thinking about this week is how much Jesus must like snowstorms.
—
Funny thing about the weather, it gave everybody something in common for a couple of days. People I barely know from work were wishing me safe travels home. The guys who delivered my new washer and dryer expressed concern that I was warm enough in my house. Everyone I know shared stories of shoveling out the sidewalk or driving in the sleet. We compared commute times and memories of previous snowstorms. I was on the phone off and on all day, checking in with friends and family.
Jesus likes it when we’re all talking and taking care of each other like that, sharing things in common. And these incarnational moments, when we experience for ourselves what others are going through, help us become more like Him, more patient, more loving, more at peace with ourselves and others.
My friend Maria is from Puerto Rico, though now she lives about five miles from me. When I saw her the evening after the big snow storm, she was laughing about the conversations she had had with her family back home. “All they can say is ‘don’t drive in the snow,'” she said, “because they don’t know what it’s like here.” We laughed, thinking of all the things about snow storms you wouldn’t know if you’d never experienced one.
And it was about that time that I started thinking of Jesus. Just like trying to tell someone what to do in a snowstorm without experiencing one for yourself, He didn’t want to tell us how to live in the flesh without experiencing it himself. So he became a man and dwelt among us. And just like I can sit with friends at dinner sharing common stories about snow covered mailboxes, now Jesus shares things in common with us in all of life.
Jesus knows laughter and celebration, weeping and mourning. He’s been disappointed and ridiculed and frustrated. Physical pain is not foreign to him. Neither is heart ache or despair. Yet he also knows the joy of a good conversation and a satisfying meal. Jesus knows.
Yeah, Jesus probably likes a good snow storm . . . about as much as he likes storms at sea! And walking on ice would be a whole lot easier than walking on water!
Aimee — Thanks for your comment. I also love thinking about how great it will be to have a good meal and meaningful conversation with Jesus. Can’t wait!
Beautiful words…I love thinking about Jesus loving a good conversation and a satisfying meal. Thanks Charity!
Craver — Somehow, I think Jesus would know who would like a snowball fight, and who wouldn’t. I, too, think that he would miss now and then!
For now — Then I want to be on your team too!
Christianne — Thanks for your kind words.
The other day, my friend Kay told me she was having a hard time shoveling the “Jesus” snow. “The Jesus snow?” I asked. “Yeah, Jesus snow. I was walking on top of it without sinking!” It was the crusty kind that comes from having sleet on top of snow.
Today, it’s in the 40s and the magic of the winter wonderland is nearly gone. It was fun while it lasted!
I loved that last bit about it being much easier to walk on ice than water! And I continue to love the depth and richness of your posts. Thank you for your faithfulness to share them with all of us.
I too love the “community” inclement weather brings. It is funny, when we have the bitter, bitter cold here people seem more connected. When we have the big snowstorm (or storms!!) people seem more connected, such a sense of “community”. I love it. It is just a shame that when the weather warms, and the snow melts so does the “community” of it. It must be the common denominator, the something in common we need to connect. I bet Jesus does enjoy seeing all peoples come together at those times, the sense of community that it brings. And I bet He would have a great time having a snowball fight, I want Him on my team though!
What a delightful post, Charity.
Oh my! You’ve got my mind wandering all over the place, thinking about snowball fights with Jesus! There’s family in Florida who would shake their heads and say, “never,” but we who know (and enjoy) the snow have no problem imagining such a thing.
Would Jesus occasionally miss? I think yes… grace.
Thanks, Ted. Yeah, I’m doing fine. I’ve narrowed down the boundaries of my life quite a big, so my work, church, shopping areas, even most of my friends, are all within a small little radius. So I haven’t had to go far in the snow.
LL — Oh, he’d throw snowballs alright. But I’m CERTAIN he would never aim for the face. (Though Jesus might slip around behind you and put a little snow down your collar just for fun!)
Snowball fights… what would Jesus do? 🙂
Charity, (I just sent a comment that somehow was entirely lost. Weird.)
A great post! We need so many more of those incarnational moments and times. Connecting with others like Jesus has and does. And winter storms can help.
Sounds like you’re doing okay. And it is weekend which means you can hopefully not worry about getting out in that mess, for awhile.