Glory Revealed

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
 Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they display knowledge."
                                            Psalm 19:1-2


For many of us January seems interminable.  We crawl through, mumbling about the cold temperatures, the overcast skies, the piercing wind.  Barren trees, crunchy lawns, and swirling leaves mark our neighborhoods as we bemoan the bleakness of winter.  The twinkling lights and festive Christmas decorations are stored away, college football is over, and we long for the radiance of sunshine.  Well, this week I think we got our Sonshine.  

Here at the end of this long month we were graced with an unexpected blessing--a snowfall that paralyzed a city within an hour.  A blessing you say?  Thousands of children remained at school.  Countless people could not leave work.  Many were stranded along the roads.  Yes, a blessing.  For as many unfortunate circumstances the snow created, the kindness and compassion of friends and colleagues and strangers appeared--the hands and feet of Jesus.  The stories continue to pour in: people getting out of their cars and enduring the frigid temperatures to help another push his or her vehicle to the side of the road; people offering those walking a ride home or at least as close to home as the ice would allow; people opening their homes to others needing a bed and a hot shower; friends taking in others' children whose parents were stranded... 

At a time when technology seems sometimes to be distancing relationships, through the snow the Lord offered us a window to see what really matters
--people and relationships.  I was at school where our extraordinary administrative team set the tone for magnanimous leadership and calm in a difficult situation.  Overseeing several hundred teenagers overnight is a daunting task, yet they carefully devised a plan for supervision that worked.  After dinner each of us gathered ten students (separated by gender) that would be our charges for the night. We took them back to our rooms for movies, games, and hallway walks until lights out at 11:00; then they curled up on the floor with backpacks for pillows and jackets for blankets, making valiant attempts to sleep.  These students were remarkable. Perhaps they saw the "No Whining" sign in my room, but there were few complaints. I think the more stories we heard and pictures we saw of those stranded out on the roads, the more thankful we became for being sheltered in a warm, safe place. Many of the teachers didn't really sleep much, alternating between resting for a while and then joining a group of "hall monitors" for a while.  But in these wee hours of the morning relationships were forged.  This snow-induced sleepover offered opportunity for conversations beyond the classroom and a bond sealed by these circumstances. We told stories and laughed and cried and learned much about one another.  Throughout the night administrators walked the halls checking on both students and teachers, asking if we needed anything.  As people sought comfort, there was a mass sale of HHS sweatshirts from the SGA sponsor, and those with exercise clothes at school offered tennis shoes and t-shirts and sweats for those who had been wearing skirts and heels. One teacher dug out several years' worth of old classroom curtains to serve as blankets for her students. Phone chargers and saline solution were exchanged. Stashes of Laffy Taffy and lollipops were shared. A tube of toothpaste became a precious commodity Wednesday morning as students eagerly lined up for a dab on their finger, murmuring "thank you" as they began the finger brush.  Their gratitude for the little things has left an indelible heart print. 

Among the unsung heroes of this night at the school were the dear ladies in our lunchroom.  Three delicious meals they graciously prepared, serving them with bright smiles and exceptional patience. Students were called to eat by floors so in three shifts they served each meal. These ladies had worked diligently, offering  four choices for dinner Tuesday evening; then we enjoyed scrambled eggs, sausage, grits, and biscuits Wednesday morning and chicken sandwiches later that day for lunch. Each time they greeted students and staff with smiles and kindness in spite of their own sleep deprivation.  They actually seemed delighted to be able to serve us! 

The ladies at the front desks also modeled incredible patience. Answering the incessant phone calls and paging students for check out intermittently from about 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesday; then starting again about 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday there was a steady flow of parents checking out their children throughout the day.  Their voices over the intercom never revealed the exhaustion they must have felt. Grace under pressure.  What a privilege to work among such servant hearts!

Though many want to place blame on weather forecasters, this surprise "snowpacolypse" (as many have come to affectionately call it) is simply a reminder that the Lord indeed is sovereign, and the skies still proclaim the work of His hands.  Regardless of forecasts, the heavens ultimately declare His glory.  Not too long after I returned home Wednesday afternoon, I glanced out the window and caught the magnificent sunset below.  Yet another reminder of the splendor of His glory. I'd like to think years from now as we reflect on this history-making event, our memories will not be of the inconveniences or discomfort but on the benevolence and hospitality displayed in our community--people being kind to one another, loving one another, and serving one another.  Because of the snow, the gospel has been on display by so many, reflecting God's glory in immeasurable ways. Yes, the Son did shine in January after all--a blessing indeed...