It happened – I finally had a snow day. To those of you who did not want one, dislike snow, and/or who had the backbreaking job of shoveling, I offer my heartfelt apology. But this snow day meant much to me.
It isn’t that I love snow or enjoy skiing. This snow day came to represent more than that to me. It meant a day of rest. But I did not “rest” per se. I did plenty of cleaning which is what made me began to ask the question…
“Why was a snow day so important to me?”
A snow day came to represent a reprieve, a break from the ordinary. I looked up at the skylights, now thickly blanketed with snow and it hit me…..
I was safe and warm and cozy in my home. I was inside and everything was outside. My heart, which was feeling raw, had time to just be, not having to deal with anything or think any longer about the cares burdening me. I was closed up, in my home, fireplace roaring and I could “rest”.
My eyes were once again drawn to the skylights. Seeing them covered up with the snow brought me comfort. I found this odd as the reason we had them installed was to let the sun and light and air in. Yet yesterday it brought me comfort that nothing was being let in.
And then I thought of Noah and the ark.
“Make yourself an ark of gopher-wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.” (Genesis 6:14, NKJV).
The choice of wood, the covering of pitch – which acted as a tar-like substance – all emphasized that the ark was a protection and hiding place. The ark was to keep the elements out and Noah, his family, and the animals safe.
But there was more….
“By faith Noah (my one word for 2014!), being divinely warned of those things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7, NKJV).
Not everything in life is going to make sense. Surely, for Noah it did not. Building an ark when he had no idea what rain even looked like. Not even a drizzle. And yet he obeyed. He followed and completed building the ark, without understanding and enduring the ridicule and the criticism of those around him.
Faith demands an obedience. An obedience to follow God when you may not know where you are going or what you are doing or what you you will do when you get where you are going.
I was beginning to understand something new …. Much the way the pitch kept the elements outside of the ark and kept Noah and company safe, Christ is my covering. He is my protection. He is my safety.
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built …. and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.” (1 Peter 3:18-21 NKJV).
And all this brought me back to “Faith”…..
These Old Testament followers are given to us as examples, to encourage us in our faith. To live by faith. To obey by faith. Each lived by faith in God but it was expressed in and through various, and very different, means because faith will not always make sense at the moment. Noah was being warned of things not yet known of or experienced.
My snow day has come to represent a lesson in faith. It served to build a little more faith in me.
Those days that my heart is raw, my mind burdened and I am in need of rest, He is my safety. He will close me in and provide all that I need to continue to move forward in obedience.
Do not be troubled because you must live by faith, nor grow weary because hope is deferred. Your reward is certain; it is preserved for you in him who created all things. (Peter Chrysologus)
Funny part of all this, we have this very picture hanging over our fireplace mantle, which I have loved for years ….
(a painting by the folk painter, Edward Hicks)
Today I am joining with … Thought Provoking Thurs. and Thankful Thurs. and Time Travel Thurs. and Thurs. Favorite Things and Doing You Well and Thrive At Home and Thriving Thurs. and Cozy Reading Spot and New Every Morning .
We’ve had a lot of snow here, too – in Pittsburgh! Thankful for this reminder!
I love the idea of Noah’s faith and the ark covering in him! Thanks for this reflection. We’re having a snow day here and I’ll be thinking today of my rest and covering in Christ.
So glad these thoughts resonated with you as well. Blessings!
I’m glad you got your snow day. I’m hoping for an un-snow day, here! 🙂 I have been thinking a lot about Noah, lately, too. The obedience, did he have off-days where he questioned and didn’t want to obey, what was his daily life like for those years it must have taken to build and gather all of the animals? Do we see great obedience because we can only see the big picture? What does my big picture faith look like?
Sorry I started rambling, but your post brought up lots of thoughts I have been having! Thank you so much for linking up with New Every Morning. 🙂
Kelsey, I have to be honest….I felt a little guilty writing about my desire for a snow day as I know so many have had so much snow. The questions you wondered have been going through my head as well. It is so easy to think that Noah’s obedience may have been so easy at that time. But it was no less as wrestling and a challenge for him as it is for any of us today. I loved your “rambling”, truly. May we both be challenged to obey whether or not we get the whole picture. Thank you for hosting the linkup and for sharing with me. Have a wonderful weekend. And may it be snowless 🙂
We’ve had plenty of snow days here in Michigan – 4 just last week! I like hearing about your word for the year. I’ve yet to post on mine, but my word is “follow”
“Follow” is another hard word. I have come to realize how challenging each one word truly presents to the one who picked the word. Thank you for sharing your word. And may you be faithful to follow Him no matter where He may take you this year. I look forward to reading about your journey!
What a wonderful analogy my friend! I was just reading about Noah’s Ark yesterday…too funny! It is a great lesson on faith. That’s what it is…not knowing, but trusting and knowing the One who does!! Thanks for the reminder! 😉
Snow days are wonderful aren’t they? We had ours last week and it was definitely a great reprieve from the outside world. My husband often says that America needs a one day vacation every week, where everything shuts down, people stay home and enjoy their families. Sounds like a plan to me, lol! Thanks again and thanks for linking up! 😉
Oh, I like your husband’s idea! I am all for it! May we have faith to follow the One Who knows all things – the beginning from the end! Have a great weekend, Michel!
“I was inside and everything was outside. My heart, which was feeling raw, had time to just be, not having to deal with anything or think any longer about the cares burdening me.” Love this! Thanks for sharing your snow-bound thoughts!
Thank you for stopping here today. May you enjoy your weekend!
We hardly ever see snow here in Athens. It has been nearly 6 years since we had snow. I love seeing everything around me covered in snow… All things that are dirty just look so beautiful and clean too… Wonderful post dear Joanne!!! Faith and Obedience these two go together… Blessings and love
Natasha, you may not see snow but I am sure you see plenty of beauty there in Athens. Yes, faith & obedience go together. Now you have me wondering…does it take obedience to have faith or faith to be obedient? Interesting weaving of the two! Blessings to you!
I believe these two are woven together…Sending you love and hugs dear friend!!! xxx
Oh Joanne: So many thoughts and comments could be voiced; but, let me succinctly say: Once again – you nailed it right on the head! So beautifully written, meaningful and touching! Blessings to you!! Love you, my dear, dear friend.
Thank you! You are such an encouragement always! I love you!!!
Love this!! I’ve had plenty of snow days this winter but I LOVE snow so I don’t mind. Beautiful thoughts today friend!
Thank you, Nanette. Always good to meet another lover of snow 🙂 Have a blessed weekend!
I love the feeling that it’s cold and windy and bitter out, and I have a snug, welcoming place to be safe with my family. So glad you got a snow day! Thanks for sharing your lessons, thoughts, and faith here with us. I treasure you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Thank you,, Shelly. I also treasure you & the community you have made for all of us who join in the linkup each week.
What a wonderful post!! Thank you for helping to make the Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop so much fun. Big Hugs ♥