SNOW - A Four Letter Word

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (NIV) 

“It’s snowing already!” Katy moaned as she hurried back in the house from the mailbox. 

At our house, snow has been a four letter word, something not spoken of and not acknowledged as “good.” Certainly, snow is neither welcomed nor valued. Remember, I said, in our house, not in our family. Our son James’ children love everything white, icy and cold. They have cross-country skis, ice skates and a snowmobile. Under their coats, they have insulated long-johns and socks. They are prepared, not to endure but to enjoy. 

In Thessalonians, we learn to give thanks in all circumstance because that is “God’s will for [us] in Christ Jesus.” Think about those few words. God wants us to be thankful in all things as grateful followers of his son Jesus Christ. Also, if we are in Jesus Christ, inheritors of his peace and grace, we are given the ability to give thanks in everything, through Christ, because that attitude of thankfulness will keep us healthy in mind, body and spirit. We are perfected in Christ in many ways. One way is through the ability to find “good” in all things and give thanks. 

“Love” is also a four letter word. Perhaps if we close our eyes and see “love,” in the embodiment of the Son of God, we can open our eyes to our circumstances, and see that which we can be thankful for, because we are seeing life through the eyes of Jesus. Let us pray: 

“Father of peace and love, I bow at the sound of your sacred name. May today be the day when I see life through the eyes of your son, Jesus, and give thanks. I have prayed for your warmth and have gotten snow. I have prayed for your peace and live in chaos, with new flooring being installed and whole-home  disruption. I ask today, for the ability to choose to see my circumstances through the eyes of your precious son, to let your four letter word be - love, your five letter word be – peace, and your six-letter word be - thanks. You give me the ability to see these blessings so that I will be healthy and strong. Forgive me when I resort to complaining and display an attitude of “ain’t it awful.” May I live in such a way that others may see you, and see not awful, but recognize “awe-full” - full of awe. May my circumstances be seen through the loving eyes of Jesus, that I might give thanks and find health and peace. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen”

Doris

Doris Gaines Rapp

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp

Christmas and Advent books by Doris Gaines Rapp available on www.cokesbury.com, www.amazon.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com and others:
Waiting for Jesus in a Can’t Wait World – Advent 2014
Lincoln’s Christmas Mouse – a children’s story and picture book including a mouse that 
          talks, President Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War
Prayer Therapy of Jesus
If you are out and about next Sunday, November 23, I will be at Barnes and Noble, Jefferson Point Mall, Fort Wayne, signing Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow and Smoke from Distant Fires at their Discover Weekend and Local Author Fair, from 2-4 pm