How Excited Are You?

No, It's not quite like this - not yet!

More like this - look closely and you'll see the tiny flakes!

I love winter. Call me crazy, but I do. I know there is shovelling, treacherous driving, bitter cold, and wrestling with kids over snowsuits, hats, and mittens. But there is also hockey, outdoor rinks, hot chocolate, tobogganing, Christmas, natural beauty, did I mention hockey, and last - but certainly not least - snuggling with your honey to save on the heating bills!!! I really do love winter. The other great thing about winter is the pure, unbridled joy that kids (and some adults) have for that first snowfall especially.

Our first snowfall this year in Peterborough was the other day. Dawson was at school, but Karsyn and I had our noses pressed to the window. Watching the first tiny snowflakes fall in wide-eyed wonderment, Karsyn whispered "I'm excited about the big ones!".

She recognized these tiny flakes as just a glimpse of what was to come. It was the first true sign of winter and she knew what she had to look forward to. In those moments of gazing at the little flakes, she was anticipating the big stuff - huge snowflakes, big drifts, snowmen, the outdoor rink, snow forts, sledding, playing in the snow with Nanna, and the hot chocolate to warm up. Exciting stuff!!!

So how excited are you? No, not about winter. I forgive you if you don't share our joy for the cold season, but how excited are you about what is to come? Read the last part of 1Cor. 15 and try not to get excited. 1Peter 1:3,4 says "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you". I can't wait to claim that inheritance!

Karsyn didn't have to wait long for the "big ones". They came later in the afternoon, much to my surprise, and we still have snow on the ground a couple of days later. As much as I love the season, there is practical stuff to take care of. I need to get the snow tires on, put the scraper and brush in the car, have the shovels and salt accessible - I need to get ready. We don't know how long we have before our time is up here and eternity begins - are you ready for it? Have you made sure that Jesus Christ is your personal Lord and Saviour? Ask Him to be that for you now.

We get many glimpses of what awaits us in our "homeland". Scripture repeatedly reminds us that this is not our home - our hope, our true home, is in heaven. The "tiny flakes" that give us just a foretaste of glory divine should whet our appetite for the "big ones" that are to come. Some of these little flakes are the beauty that surrounds us, the joy in relationships, the rewards of following Christ, the sustenance of Truth, and the sweetness of God's presence. All are just a glimpse, a snippet, a tiny foretaste. They will be multiplied exponentially in eternity. All I can say is - WOO HOO!!! So, how excited are you?