By Dr. James L. Snyder
Memory is a very wonderful thing, at times. It seems the older I get the more I remember things that never happened. I do not know how that takes place, but I guess it is just old age creeping up on me. With me, old age has ceased creeping and has started a fast sprint to some finish line. I just wish it would slow down just a wee bit.
Christmas, however, is the time to indulge ourselves in memories. Some people can go back in time and remember things when they were two or three years old years old. Me, I cannot remember what I had for breakfast this morning. I have a strong suspicion that those remembering things back that far are remembering things that really did not take place but who in the world is going to prove them wrong.
To me, one of the delightful things about Christmas is getting to see family and friends that you have not seen all year long. I remember those old-fashioned family reunions we used to have when all of our relatives would get together. It was at those reunions that I remembered why I did not see my relatives the rest of the year. Once a year was quite enough, thank you.
If insanity is hereditary, I am in deep trouble. I am only thankful my wife did not meet my relatives prior to our wedding. Of course, after I met her relatives I began realizing that after all, families are relative, and some more relative than others.
I was thinking about some Christmases in the past and the good times we had. I remembered our first Christmas as a married couple. That was probably the cheapest Christmas we ever had. Then I got to thinking about the Christmases as the kids began dropping into our family and taking up permanent residence. When the kids arrived, it changed Christmas forever and not just the cost.
This week I got a couple Christmas cards from some relatives who live up north. All of them had pictures of snow.
Watching the weather reports this week I knew many of them were having snowstorms and I chuckled to myself thinking about it. In one Christmas card, was the familiar title, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.” Then at the bottom of the card, they scribbled, “Don’t you miss all the snow this time of the year?” Then they drew a series of smiley faces.
I smiled and for a few moments, one brief moment, I did miss all that snow.
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage saw me smiling and asked, “Who sent the Christmas cards?”
I told her who the cards were from and added, “They think we miss all that snow.” We then shared a hearty laugh together and went about our own business.
I just could not get it out of my mind. Did I miss all that snow? What a question.
I put my thinking machine in gear and began processing the Christmases we celebrated up north where there was plenty of snow. As I begin thinking, I did begin missing all that snow.
Then it dawned on me what snow was all about.
At times, we forget some details of our memories and only think of the positive and good aspects. Do not get me wrong. Snow looks wonderful on a Christmas card. I do not mind watching a TV program where plenty of snow is falling and people are singing Christmas carols. I rather enjoy it in those venues.
The question is, did I miss all that snow?
My answer goes something like this. Yes, I do miss all that snow! Furthermore, I plan to miss all that snow for the rest of my life.
The basic reason I moved to Florida when I did was that I do not like snow. I like looking at snow on a Christmas card but I do not like looking at snow through my car window.
It is not so much that I do not like driving in snow; it is the other idiots coming at me who do not know how to drive in snow and do not know how to stay in their own lane.
I remember the last time I did any driving in snow I ended up almost a complete nervous wreck. People drive in snow as though they do not know how to drive in snow.
Yes, I do miss the snow, and the cold and being snowed in, did I mention the cold. I do miss all that and I plan to miss it the rest of my life. Period. Some things you can live without and as far as I am concerned this is one.
To all those who love snow and cannot get enough of it, please enjoy it this year for me because I do not plan to.
Only one Bible characters seemed to enjoy snow. God said to Job, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?” (Job 38:22).
When God was trying to get Job to see is that no matter what your circumstances are, that is not the end. Look beyond your problems and difficulties and see the hand of God who created all things and then called them “good.” In every circumstance you will find some treasure of God’s amazing grace.
Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 1-866-552-2543 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. His web site is www.jamessnyderministries.com.
