I’m tired of living in a “white” world. We’ve had snow on the ground now for two weeks, and the weather forecast says more is coming.  I am a snow girl.  I like snow. As a retired teacher, I remember looking forward to snow days, but even then, a few days were enough.  I know February can be a very snowy month and it’s okay.  I’ll make it through.

I’ve decided to think about what’s under all that white stuff.  There are purple and lavender crocuses, red tulips, and yellow daffodils. There are roots of grasses just waiting for the snow to melt and warmer days to bring up those green blades. And, yes, there are about a zillion yellow dandelions ready to poke their yellow heads up, too. In my garden boxes there is fertile soil waiting to be warmed and prepared to receive seeds and plants resulting in fresh vegetables. I’m enjoying the pictures in those seed catalogs!

I’m reminded of the Prophet Samuel in the Old Testament when God asked him to anoint a new king. He was to choose from Jesse’s sons and when he saw Eliab, Samuel was sure he was to be the new king.  God said no.

“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Don’t we sometimes judge people like that?  We treat them by what we see on the outside. I’ve most likely missed out on some potential friendships by not pursuing a relationship with someone, just because of what I saw on the surface. James writes about this when he reminds the Christians not to show favoritism.

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” (James 2:8-9).

I know I’m guilty and must continually be on guard against such actions and thoughts. All that snow will eventually melt away and what is underneath will burst forth in its beauty. I must look at people that way. God knows what a person is really like, I don’t. I must love everyone knowing they are made in God’s image, lovingly sharing the truth of the gospel at every opportunity. God can bring beauty to every soul who is willing to allow it.

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

Happy Valentine’s Day