Snow in Belfast.
Posted on 8 Dec 2010
Okay. She’s cute. You have to admit. The hat is adorable. Sorry, but we’re biased.
Right. Back to snow in Belfast.
There has been snow in Belfast.
Oh, you wanted to know more? Oh. Right then. There has been snow in Belfast. Not much snow but enough to slow down this city significantly.
Growing up in Maryland and Jersey, we would typically define our “snow storms” with several inches of snow at minimum. Here in ol’ Belfast, even an inch brings some big problems. The expectation of winter snow is low and so the city was not prepared when it snowed several times in the last few weeks. For instance, our street never once saw a plow. Side walks were never shoveled… stairs rarely salted… and as you can guess, accidents have abound.
But beyond the hassle, the fallen snow has brought a beauty to the area that sets the scene just perfect for Christmas. As we mentioned in our newsletter, there is “Charles Dickens” feel in the air. When we muse the Christmas Continental Market that camps on the City Hall lawn, we are secretly thrilled that snow has decorated the city for the holiday season. It is breath taking.
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7
Just as the snow makes this city beautiful… the same can be said of Forgiveness. Psalm 51:7 talks about the forgiveness of the Lord… cleansing us and making us pure in heart. Where our hearts were once ugly with sin, the Lord’s forgiveness brings beauty to our souls. Let’s face it, forgiveness makes an ugly situation beautiful.
All this snow has been challenging us to think about forgiveness…. to ponder our own need for His forgiveness and the beauty that is always attached to it (like newly fallen snow). Beyond that, we have been challenged to think about where we can apply forgiveness to ‘ugly situations’. Where do we need to pardon? Who are we holding a grudge or even a stone against?
As the snow comes, may forgiveness come to our hearts. May we embrace its beauty and give it away freely without condition. Forgiveness makes an ugly situation beautiful.