White as Snow

 I am sitting here in the early morning of the first day of 2021 and looking out at my backyard covered in snow. So beautiful. So fresh and clean.

Now, I know that under that blanket of snow, there are sticks, and leaves, and clover, and half destroyed dog toys.

 It's the same in our lives.

We could all use some raking and maintenance. I bet there's some clover-like habits that we are struggling to get rid of. Things that keep coming back and stealing our joy. We probably even have some things we just keep chewing on -  bitterness, resentment, guilt, anger - that are not doing us any good. Things that we simply need to throw away and move forward.  Thankfully, like the snow, Jesus covers our "ugly".

The words to this hymn come to mind...

"Jesus paid it all.

 All to him I owe. 

Sin had left a crimson stain. 

He washed it white as snow."

Thank you Lord, for a new year and a beautiful reminder of your grace!