I must’ve watched them for at least half an hour.
In the midst of the “Great Texas Snow Event of 2010,” my new neighbor across the street was outside with his three-year-old, building a whopper of a snow man. They started at the bottom, of course, rolling the big base and getting it packed well to support the rest of the big chubby guy. What I loved watching, though, was how the dad plopped himself down in the snow to help his little son pat on his own snow offerings. He didn’t have on snow pants (not a staple down here in the typically “brown south”), just jeans, which were quickly soaking through. But he stayed down there until his son was finished, and then, in one quick motion, he swooped him up, onto his shoulders, so they could work on the higher parts of the snowman.
I haven’t been able to get the picture of them out of my head since I saw them, turning the images over and over in my mind. Typically, that happens when the Lord is trying to tell me something, so I wasn’t surprised when I saw the following verse this morning:
2 Samuel 22:36 NIV
And so it is with Jesus. Certainly, He left the splendor of heaven to “stoop down” and get his hands dirty in the messiness of human existence for the ultimate purpose of lifting us to the position of His co-heirs, and making us great – something I’ll never get over. But what occurred to me in this snowy vignette is that He’s still doing it every day. The living Christ, through His Spirit, is traversing new landscapes with us, stooping down to better relate, to better teach, without concern over the cold or the messy. He just wants us to be victorious – not just ultimately victorious as His triumph over death proclaimed, but victorious as we live out every day.
I’m wrapped in warmth at the thought of the Savior I serve, thankful that He’s a “hand’s on” God…grateful that He finds beauty in stooping down.
I'm so thankful that He stoops down into the messy-ness of my life to live victoriously day to day. I always enjoy when God gives you a word and a visual.
With love,
Yolanda
What beautiful image of our Father's love for us.
love and hugs~Tammy
Loved this this morning as I woke up feeling hurt and betrayed by God. Needed the reminder that He loves me…
Sooz
beautiful.
Your gift with words touches my heart.
What a comforting and amazing thought, Melinda. The Father stooping down to be right beside us, to "make us great"… How thankful I am!
What a sweet post. We, also, watched a daddy help his little girl build a snowman and like you, we so enjoyed it. However, unlike you, I didn't make the connection with our Heavenly Father's love. God has given you such a gift of being able to express the Father's love in all you do and see. Love you and love your gift!! Mom
I am so thankful that Jesus left heaven and stooped down…for me. Unbelievable. Knowing how I would hurt Him…He did it anyway.
Love the snowy visual, Melinda. Praying for and with you.
Leah
You are so precious, my friend. That is it.
What will I ever get to hug your neck?
Hope your day is wonderful!
Lovely & So True!