Surely this week of snow storms on the east coast will make the record books.  The phrase “snowed in” is taking on new meaning.  We spent last Sunday in Baltimore, loving some time with our kids and helping them negotiate the snow.   We dug out their cars,  but they aren’t going anywhere with the roads the way they are.   We saw lots of people digging themselves out of the snow, but they weren’t going to be driving  anywhere.   I have friends who do that even when there isn’t snow.  The circumstances pile up and drift over their paths, and they may appear to dig themselves out just fine but still aren’t going anywhere.   The roads of life are often a mess even before the storms hit.  

We were able to find a narrow walking path, however, along with others brave enough to venture outside their comfort zones.    People couldn’t take cars or possessions out on the road, it was walking only.   Such also is the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).  The Jesus path is the way of joy and purpose and meaning.  It is the only way to go anywhere.  Being snowed in by the world can’t prevent His outward flow of grace.  Following Christ is a path of LOVE.  And NOTHING (neither death nor life, snowstorms or anything else in all creation) “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”  (Romans 8:38-39).  

Speaking of which, as Valentine’s Day approaches, what about refreshing the path of love in your life, in spite of the snow and storms around us all the time?  That’s where I am today.   Why not write a Valentine note to God?  He has written a bunch to you, like,  “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).   Why not ask God what kind of loving heart He would like from you?  What about a heart of GRACE?  Father, would you grace me with a……

God-focussed heart----A faithful, undivided heart that puts God first every day and expresses love for Him (Matthew 6:33)
Relational heart….A giving heart that is other-centered and not self-centered. Loving the people God loves  (Philippians 2:4)
A heart that loves to live under the authority of His Word, devoted to singing  His praise and love His Word (Psalm 18, Psalm 119)
Christ-centered heart, a true heart that loves Christ with wholehearted devotion (1 Chronicles 29:19, Colossians 3:1)
Encouraging heart that loves and encourages people with patience, kindness, and forgiveness (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

Reflect on this grace-filled  love note from God…… “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you”  (Isaiah 62:5).   There is a clear path into the heart of God that no storm can obstruct, no matter how deep the circumstances of life.  And that’s in the record books.