Little Snowflakes of Love

Sometimes it takes a crisis to persuade busy Americans to lower our defenses and act like fellow travelers in life. The last serious snow storm back in December had that effect. People were sliding off the roads into ditches and stopping dead when they turned right and bogged down in a snow bank. It was almost comical watching cars sliding around on hazardous main roads- unless, of course, one of those vehicles was sliding towards yours.

Everywhere you looked there were neighbors and fellow travelers leaving the safety of sidewalks and automobiles to help stranded strangers. Because I drive a Jeep, I had no trouble navigating snowbound neighborhood roads. But I can't count the number of neighbors who had a lot of trouble. So I found myself constantly pulling up behind other automobiles and using my protected bumpers to give them a boost out of snowbanks. Strangers were laughing and giving each other high fives.

If the snowfall actually approaches 24" or more this week-end, there will be a thousand opportunities for you and me to love God with all our hearts, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

• When you see a stranded driver, find a way to assist and get him moving again.
• If you have neighbors who limit their driving under normal conditions, you can be sure they won't venture out in these conditions. Drop by to make sure their heat is working. Offer to pick up groceries for them.
• If the power fails, find a way to heat up some hot chocolate and invite your neighbors in for some laughter and conversation.
• If your neighbors are elderly or disabled, offer to shovel their driveway. And if you've decided to hire a neighborhood kid to clean up your paved areas, add a few bucks to the fee and ask him to shovel your neighbors' sidewalks as well.
• Keep a snow shovel visible on your porch in case motorists get bogged down near your house.
• If you have an SUV, call a nearby hospital and offer to help transport nurses and medical staff into work.
• Be ever on the look out for little opportunities to lend a hand.
  

It's odd how much priority we place on movies and TV shows which will soon be forgotten. When those things no longer occupy even a corner of your mind, you will fondly remember good deeds done for neighbors, and laughter shared in the snow. What's more, those neighbors are likely to remember as well- the next time you invite them to worship with you, for example.

Don't risk your life on treacherous highways while the blizzard is still in progress. And don't waste golden moments for showing neighbors what the love of Christ is really all about. Make this a weekend to cherish- forever.