The Second Gaze - Childhood Memory

Yesterday, we got our first decent snowfall this winter. It wasn't much - only an inch or so. But it was enough to get kids out doing some sledding and to get me to make a snow angel in our backyard. I remember those mornings as a child waking up to the fresh blanket of snow and hoping desperately for a snow day. Then the disappointment or the joy that would follow when my parents would let me know the answer. Where I grew up, it took a lot of snow to cancel school but when it did... snowmen appeared all over, snow angels were made, snow forts and snow walls arose, and snowballs started flying. For a time as well, the Star Wars battle of Hoth was faithfully and lovingly re-created, including my best friend's AT-AT. (something I asked for many times over, but never received... sigh).

So, this all comes back when I wake up to a fresh blanket of snow. My kids ask about school and there's the disappointment or joy at my response. Yesterday their response was disappointment. But there was still a snow angel yesterday.

Jesus said, "Let these children alone. Dont get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

Luke 18:16-17 (Message translation)