It’s a snowy day here in Pennsylvania, and I’m so glad! This is actually the second snowfall we’ve had this week. But after two years of no snow, I’ll take it. I love these days. I think it’s probably reminiscent of the days of my childhood. Snow days were pretty epic at my house growing up.

Snow Days When I Was Growing Up

First, we would get up early and check the tv to see if school was canceled for the day. That was pretty epic in and of itself. Then we would get all bundled up, and my day would drive us over to our church. You see, at our church, there was this huge hill where our Christian school team would play soccer. To date, it’s still the highest hill I’ve ever seen for sledding. As a kid, it was daunting to walk up that hill. It took a long time to get to the top. But when you finally made it to the top, it was an amazing ride down. People would come from all over the area to sled down that massive hill.

When we were so frozen, we could no longer move, we would head home. My mom would be waiting for us with homemade hot chocolate and fresh chocolate chip cookies. (I had a pretty amazing childhood.)

The Wonder of a Snow Day

I think those memories are why I cherish these days so much, especially since we just don’t get that many of them. There’s just something so magical about waking up to snow coming down outside. I’ve never lost the wonder of a snow day.

Now, as an adult, a snow day is a little different. I don’t get to spend the whole day outside playing in the snow, and I’m quite all right with that. I’d rather stay inside where it’s warm. I get to be the one making the hot chocolate and cookies in the midst of trying to still get my work done for the day.

A good snow day reminds me of fresh starts and renewals and cleansing. I don’t think I can ever look at a fresh snow and not think of the verse in Isaiah.

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Isaiah 1:18 NLT

There’s just nothing like a fresh blanket of snow to remind me of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

The next day you experience a snow day, or even look at a picture of snow, let it be a reminder that God’s grace is new today. His forgiveness is a gift that covers us and makes us white as snow.

Just for Fun

What are some of your favorite snow day pasttimes? If you could take off the whole day, what would you do?

Here are a few of mine:

• Make cookies
• listen to uplifting, fun music
• read a good book (this one is my most favorite!) Need good book suggestions? Try these.
• watch a family movie
• enjoy an extra cup of coffee
• make popcorn

What else would you add to the list? What do we have in common?

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my January/February post, 3 Ways to Turn Discouragement into Hope.