Midwinter of the Heart

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
January 8, 2025
Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18, Deuteronomy 6:5, and 1 John 1:9

This evening I was to go with my fellow singers and message sharers to a dinner where the community gathers to support those who have found themselves in some tough spots in life. With 9 plus inches of snow to clear and ice on top of that, we were told to not chance falling in the parking lot, so the event is canceled.

For many of us here in Southern Indiana, we had to cancel church services this past Sunday, and many activities and appointments were either canceled or rescheduled. As I was moving about our house this morning I noticed another amazing snowfall. Gently the large flakes floated and landed on the existing thick blanket that covers our deck and yard, so quiet again. Time to stop, reflect and pray; Oh Lord, “Cleanse me, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7). And, “Though my sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow…” (Isaiah 1:18).

I couldn’t help reflecting that it didn’t just snow once, got cleared away and done, but it kept coming. As soon as our helpers cleared paths to drive or to park, here it comes again. Kinda like sin, don’t you think? Just about the time we have confessed, repented and started anew, here it comes again. It may look or feel or even present itself differently, but there it is. The good news is that God is always at the ready to help us start again. Our sin is no surprise to him, though it hurts His heart, He is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

It really is a matter of the heart; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:5). This makes me think of a marvelous old hymn that our group was going to share this evening at the dinner, and since we can’t, I feel like sharing few verses with you:

 “In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan. Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow. In the bleak midwinter long ago. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign; In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed, the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what can I give Him; Give Him my heart.” (Christina G. Rosetti (1830-1894).

Amen!