It’s Tuesday afternoon and the third Nor’Easter in 10 days is hitting our area. In fact, it is the first blizzard for our area this winter. I know it presents all the pains and challenges of power outages, shoveling, being stuck in the house, and frustration over lost days of work. But can I just say, I loved seeing this tweet from a friend in my feed, as it is what goes through my head each time I see the snow fall …
Sin. We don’t tend to talk about it much, especially our own sin. But today the snow, the tweet, and Watchman Nee have me deep in thought on this very topic.
“I, Peter, have denied the Lord.”
How active Peter’s memory must have been recalling the grim events of the past day or two! And in the lurid light of the recent past, how many details of the less recent past must have shown up in dark relief. Could he ever forget? No, never. Peter could never forget; but the risen Lord could dispel all his fears and forebodings with a word.”
(from Twelve Baskets Full 1 by Watchman Nee, page 28)
Can we even imagine all Peter felt in that quick moment by which he denied the Lord? Peter, the one who had experienced the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter, who had been in the Garden of Gethsemane and heard the Lord pray. Peter, who declared that he would never deny the Lord. Peter, who stated he would lay down his life for Jesus had now denied him. Not once but three times. And to a servant girl.
“But the angel said, Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as you did before he died.” (Mark 16:6-7, NLT)
In these two verses, I find the grace and mercy of our Lord not only towards Peter, but to each one of us –
- Even after failing, we are still the recipients of God’s tender love.
- In the eyes of the Lord, there is no shadow of the past.
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12, NLT)
“Including Peter.”
Two simple words to convey how important it was for Peter to be included. To hear his very name.
Two simple words to convey that God’s love spans any distance, any sin. He will go to any length to draw us back into His circle.
As white as snow.
As far as the east is from the west.
Including Peter.
Including me and you.
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman .
Isn’t it beautiful?! The snow can get tiring, but what a lovely reminder of His love!
And I’m guessing you’re in the northeast too! I’m in CT so I feel your pain. Although if you’re on the MA or ME coast you sure got more than we did with this storm!
Becky, yes, I am in Reading, MA. so just north of Boston. It can be tiresome at this point but I am grateful for the beautiful reminders of God’s love for us. And … it doesn’t hang around too long at this point in the season 🙂
Dear Joanne, what an encouraging reminder! When I first thought of snow, I thought of how it can totally cover our sin. Then I reminded snow can be used for cleansing and quenching thirst, and that, to me, is exactly what our Savior does for us. Thanks and blessings for this beautiful word!
Alice, I love the imagery you have added – for cleansing and thirst. So many wonderful thoughts now to remember the next time it snows. Blessings!
Joanne I love the encouraging posts I’m seeing from all my friends – beautiful pictures and words. I love how your friend took it right back to the Bible as a reminder for all of us that our sins are white as snow.
Yes, I so appreciated his tweet and reminder!
I love how you applied the latest March snowstorm to God’s Word, Joanne! He is always working, always moving, always pouring out love in action and compassion. Sometimes the storms don’t feel anything like love in action, but when we trust that his way is always best, we find hope in the shoveling! Thanks for this!
INCLUDING SUSAN. YES, LORD. Snowing here today too.
Amen and amen.
There’s so much good to be found for our edification even in this incredibly strange lead up to “spring” here in the northeast!
Hanging in there with you!
So glad we are all hanging in there together, Michele! Spring will soon reveal all its wonders to us.
I am in your neck of the woods! We got about 15 inches. There is something beautiful about fresh clean snow! Our sins were as scarlet are now whiter than snow!
Snow will always speak to us of the forgiveness we so freely receive. I love that God speaks to us through every snowfall. Blessings!
How beautiful to know that I’m included too, along with Peter. This is such a relief. Thanks for your words, friend.
I love a little snow at first. But for your sake, I hope it is done for the winter!
Joanne,
You have been inundated with SNOW! But what a great reminder that no matter how many times we mess up, our sins are made white as snow with His grace and mercy. Even Peter….even me. Great visual reminder. I pray Spring comes soon to you.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Even me!
And I am sure spring will come and bring new seasons of growth. xo