Fiona Veitch Smith

An Anointing of Snow

It snowed today and my garden looks beautiful. Each blade of grass is a tiny icicle tree, clumps of snow on fallen leaves form misshaped snowballs and the hanging basket that I haven’t got round to removing is an abstract ice sculpture. The murky browns and faded greens look rich against the stark, white canvas and I am reminded once again of how snow has a way of transforming the ugly and mundane into a picture of breathtaking beauty.

It also gives me an excuse not to tidy up the garden this week. Out of sight, out of mind, my granny always used to say. Sadly, it doesn’t last long. Snow falls in Newcastle in the North East of England never lie for long these days. Not like when I was a lass living in a Northumbrian village. Aye, them were the days! You would lose your glove and never find it again until the spring. School would be cancelled, not because of some neurotic health and safety directive that the kiddies might slip or catch a chill, but because the water pipes had literally frozen up and the seven feet snowdrifts were simply impassable.

A Winter’s Tale

Winters then were endless snowball fights and building snowmen and sledging down Barrat’s hill. With Mam ever at the ready with warm, dry clothes, and Dad offering advice on the best way to build an igloo, my fondest childhood memories were made.

Yes, winter was better then. I never had to worry about starting reluctant car engines on crack-of-dawn mornings or if the boiler would last one more season or whether the jasmine will survive the frost. What’s changed? Maybe it’s because I live in a city. Or maybe it’s global warming. Or maybe, it’s simply because I’ve grown up and been forced to face responsibility.

My early Christian days were glorious too. Soaking in the spirit ’til all hours of the morning; worship services that rocked the rafters; new gifts to be explored and used. Now things are a lot tamer. Now that I’m married with a child and a career I can no longer wile away my free time with the other single, young Christians, passionately pursuing God and each other’s company. I serve where I can, attend meetings when I can and now try to fit my worship of God into my everyday life rather than the other way round. Have I backslidden? I don’t think so; I’m just at another place in my walk with God.

Blowing Hot and Cold

Do I love Him as much as I used to? Oh I hope so! Perhaps more. How can I not love someone who puts up with all of my ups and downs. I may blow hot and cold in my relationship with Him, but He never does. He’s always there, always waiting and prepared to accept me just as I am. And now and then he anoints me with snow and makes my messy garden beautiful.

Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
Let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:7-9

This is the second in a series of A Gardener’s Gospel. I plan to give you regular updates letting you know how it’s going in my garden and hope that you will be encouraged to keep on working in yours. Please feel free to leave comments below and let other readers know how it’s going in your garden.

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