Gobsmacked!

I gasped as I checked my rearview mirror. Behind me, brilliant white snow sparkled at the top of the hills behind our home. “Gobsmacked by glory” were the words that came to mind.

Photo courtesy of Jesse Gomez

I know friends and family, and others I don’t know, feel different about the snow than I do. As Billy Graham once said in a Thanksgiving message,

When we sit around our tables laden with sumptuous delicacies, let us not forget that many around the world will go to bed hungry. As we enjoy the comforts of our cozy homes, let us not forget that great numbers have no homes to go to. When we step into our cars, let us not forget that many people in the world cannot afford even a bicycle.

And I would add, when we delight in the unusual, beautiful covering of snow blanketing our California hills, let us not forget that there are many homeless, cold, without warmth of coats or homes.

Winnipeg, where I have quite a few family members, is below freezing at 22 degrees. Other places are colder.

Beautiful view as I drove into our community.

And yet, as I drove, I marveled in the beauty of bright white snow down below 1000 feet. The views were magnificent, and I thanked God for the warmth of my heavy down jacket. My heart lifted in praise. I continued on my way, lifting my eyes to the hills, from where my Help comes!

The Earth is the Lord’s

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.

Psalm 24:1-4, NIV

I’d love to hear about the last time you were gobsmacked by glory.