Whiter Than Snow

I was born in California, United States, and lived there most of my life, and I have to say that summer was not my favorite time of year.

There would usually be about five months without rain, during which everything became very dry and brown. In more recent years, we had forest fires to worry about.

When fall arrived, within a few days of the first rains, little green shoots would appear, and if the rain continued, we would soon have a nice green carpet to enjoy.

Sometimes, in the winter, we would even enjoy a light dusting of snow.

Then, when I was almost ninety years old, I moved across the country to live with my youngest daughter and her husband in Maine, in the northern United States.

I loved seeing everything so green in the summer, thanks to the frequent rains. The variety of wildflowers was ever changing and so beautiful.

When the fall arrived, the leaves fell from the trees, and the grass turned brown. Then it would snow! Often, several inches fell at a time, and there would be beauty again.

As long as the cold temperatures held, there would be a beautiful carpet of snow outside. One morning, as I gazed at the snow from the solarium window where I had my morning devotions, I thought of David’s plea, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7, NKJV). He follows that up with a request a few verses later, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (verse 10, NKJV).

And if I have a clean heart and a right spirit, then the result should be what is promised in Isaiah, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18, NKJV).

My friends, my prayer for today for all of us is this, Dear Lord, please wash us from our sins so our lives will be whiter than snow. Grant us clean hearts and a right spirit.

Thank You for the beautiful reminder each winter that Your forgiveness covers us like the snow—making us pure and lovely.

We love You, Lord!

Betty J. Adams