By Susan Berry

Isaiah 1:18 NIV

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

As the snow fell last weekend I sat and gazed out the window and watched as my little corner of the world turned pure white. When I first met Jesus the knowledge of my sins being forgiven was astounding to me. Reading in God’s word that my sin is as scarlet to Him made me shrivel in shame. As the revelation of how Jesus’ sacrifice made my sins white as snow made me look at snow very differently.

Have you ever really looked at how pure white snow is? It is so white, so bright that it can blind you for a few moments until your eyes adjust to the brilliance. I imagine that will be what it is like when I look upon Jesus’ face.

Winter can be long and is known to be a time of sadness and depression for some people. For me the days seem to drag as I wait for Spring and getting into my gardens. As I looked out at my gardens buried in snow I smiled. Knowing that snow holds Nitrogen and as it melts it puts Nitrogen into the soil. Atmospheric Nitrogen that snow catches on its way down from the sky to the Earth. This Nitrogen stays in the soil and will feed plants that grow there in the Spring.

When nitrogen supply is high, roots can accumulate excess nitrogen to use later for developing leaves, stems, and grain. So my Asparagus plants may look like nothing is growing in the Winter but under the soil the roots are storing all the wonderful Nitrogen to be used in Spring when the plants break dormancy.

As we wait for Winter to pass into Spring we can feed ourselves by studying God’s word and through prayer. This will strengthen our roots and deepen our walk with our Lord. His forgiveness washes us white as snow. Praise Him from whom ALL blessings flow. Even snow.