Becky Kopitzke

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The Sound of Snow Falling

December 17, 2012

Snowpants. Jackets. Boots. Gloves. Hats. Scarves. Hoods. Tissues in the pocket and chapstick on the lips. After a good 20 minutes of bundling and coercing, my kids were ready to venture outside.

Our first snowfall of the year.

The girls tromped onto the front lawn glistening three inches deep, while I stopped to unhook a shovel off the garage wall. Wet snow slid easily along my path, sparkly white mounds tinted pink and blue from sidewalk chalk we’d drawn just days before.

No matter what the calendar says, winter always seems to take us by surprise.

I settled into the hardy rhythm of pushing snow, listening to the clack of metal hitting cement, the steady swoosh of a shovel head sweeping across our frozen driveway. Behind me, my girls giggled and flapped their limbs on the ground, making snow angels. All around us, the silence of a gentle snowfall swirled in our ears.

“Mom—do you know what the goodest part of winter is?”

Straightening upright with the shovel in hand, I smiled at my five-year-old. “What, sweetheart?”

“Right here.” She extended a handful of packed snow, then raised it to her tongue and licked. “Mmm, yum!” A few feet away, my toddler, too, stood with a chunk of fresh snow in her mitten, lapping up the icy treat like it was a cherry Sno-cone in June.

A delighted chuckle rose from within my belly.

Winter’s not all bad.

I lifted my eyes. Huge, fluffy snowflakes danced slowly to the ground. No two flakes alike, isn’t that crazy? These intricate crystals—such a mind-boggling illustration of God’s infinite creativity.

Perhaps the true gifts of this season aren’t the shiny ones under the tree. They’re the little boot prints on my lawn, crisp air filling my lungs, a quiet afternoon to relish my children.

Gifts, not givens.

“He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress,” (Psalm 46:10–11).

What a welcome invitation. It begs for my soul this week, filled with festivities and heartache both. I rush and I wonder why. Until a snowfall makes the world pause for a minute. Then I look to the sky, and remember.

God is here.

He never left us.

He never will.

Enjoy the countdown to Christmas, my friends. I wish you all a little bit of snowy weather for your souls.

If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like Surviving December: Notes From a Type-A Mom, If You Give a Mom a Minute, Honey, Sweetheart, Sugar Pie, and God Doesn’t Ration Candy Bars.

* * * * * * * *

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, Mommy Moments, The Mom Initiative, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Titus 2sdays, Grace at Home, and Things I Can’t Say.

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Filed Under: God's Love, Sentimental, Trusting God, Worship

Comments

  1. Falen @ Upward Not Inward says

    December 17, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Ahhh. Snow! None yet here in Oklahoma. Completely agree about its demonstration of His infinite creativity. Something so small yet mind boggling. Beautiful post.

    New follwer.

    Falen
    http://www.upwardnotinward.com

    • Becky says

      December 17, 2012 at 5:34 pm

      Welcome, Falen! Thank you for reading.

  2. Anonymous says

    December 17, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Becky, that was beautifuly put. Can’t say anything else but that. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Irene & Jerry

    • Becky says

      December 17, 2012 at 5:35 pm

      Oh, I love to see you here, Irene. Thank you so much for reading. Merry Christmas to you and Jerry and the whole family!

  3. Lori says

    December 17, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    May we never tire of God’s new mercies every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Pausing in the stillness with you today.

    • Becky says

      December 17, 2012 at 5:36 pm

      Amen, Lori.

  4. Alicia says

    December 17, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Oh, yes, some snow for my soul.. how I need that gift this week. As always, I love the way you turn ordinary life into worship. Blessings, friend!

    • Becky says

      December 17, 2012 at 5:37 pm

      Blessings to you and your family this week, too, Alicia!

  5. Kim says

    December 17, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    We are having our first snow as I write, and I can see the snow softly falling onto the limbs of the trees outside my window.

    That hush you speak about-I love that! My hubbie and I will walk up our dirt road, and you can practically feel the blanket of quiet. It is a thing of beauty!

    Thank you for the image of you and your girls in the snow. We are many years past that, and it is a sweet one to replay!

    • Becky says

      December 17, 2012 at 5:41 pm

      We are hoping for a white Christmas, Kim. However, at this point, Christmas can come muddy with the gifts all still unwrapped…as long as I have my family here safe with me. That’s a reason to celebrate and be grateful.

    • Kim says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:29 pm

      Agreed, Becky!

  6. Marianne @ Abundant Life says

    December 18, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    Since we’re in southern California, we’ll have to settle for snow for the soul. Maybe one of those crystal clear days that is still crisp and cool. Beautiful post!

    • Becky says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:25 pm

      Snow for the soul… we can catch some all year round if we’re looking for it, can’t we? Blessings, Marianne!

  7. Michelle DeRusha says

    December 18, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    I so love snow — we haven’t had enough of it in Nebraska these last couple of years. But I heard some is on the way tomorrow.

    Wishing you a blessed Christmas, Becky (coming over from Emily’s Tuesdays Unwrapped).

    • Becky says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Thank you for visiting, Michelle! Merry Christmas to you as well!

  8. Laura Boggess says

    December 19, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    No snow yet here either! I’ll take that blessing though and let my spirit get snow-soaked and filled with wonder. Thank you, Becky. Made me smile today.

    • Becky says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Come to Wisconsin, Laura! We’re under blizzard fire today.

  9. Richella Parham says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Gifts, not givens. Amen to that. May we all be cured of taking our bountiful blessings for granted!

    • Becky says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Amen, indeed, Richella. Deeper gratitude…that’s what I’m aiming for.

  10. Shell says

    December 21, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    What a sweet moment!

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    If you love your kids but you sometimes forget to feed them lunch, if you're crazy about your husband but some days you want to set his hunting gear on fire, and if you adore Jesus with your whole heart yet you mess up time and time again, then you and I are friends already.

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How are we supposed to do all the things, be all the things, and manage ALL THE THINGS without getting crabby, fed up, or burned out?
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Great questions. Maybe what you need right now is a wise friend... a mentor and coach who can help you sort it all out, point you to God's Word and help you discover what it looks like to apply His truths to your daily choices and responsibilities. Someone who won't criticize or judge you but instead stand beside you, validate your struggles, and then inspire and equip you to move through them with practical and biblically sound tips, accountability, and lots of prayer.
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