Our latest near-record snowfall was something to behold.  Gentle Sunday morning snow flurries quickly turned into whiteout conditions that afternoon and the next day.  When it was all over, there was two feet or more of freshly fallen snow.  It resulted in the cancellation of classes for two days to allow time for snow removal.

 

I watched with fascination that Sunday afternoon as the snow levels climbed.  Safely inside our warm living room, the dog and I watched our yard disappear under a white blanket.  The snowplows began passing by with flashing lights, pushing snow off the roads, into my driveway and onto the sidewalk.

 

It was then that I remembered our town ordinance requiring homeowners to remove snow from the sidewalks in front of their homes within 24 hours.  My small, yellow snow shovel has handled an inch or two of snow from time to time, but never two feet or whatever amount the snowplows would heap on my sidewalk.  I began to worry.

 

I let the dog out into the yard the next day.  She took two steps, turned around, and trotted back into the house.  The snow was too deep.  After shoveling some space for her, I realized the sidewalk was beyond my ability to clear.  Retreating to the house, I sat with my coffee, pondering my next steps.

 

Then, I heard an engine start.  It was my neighbor and his brand new snowblower.  Lucky guy.  He had the foresight for such a winter as this. 

 

Snow rocketed out of the discharge chute as he triumphantly marched down his driveway, creating a clean path through the two feet of snow.  Next, he attacked his sidewalk, which was no match for the new machine.  If only I had invested in such an amazing device.  My back already ached thinking of lifting all that snow.

 

I watched as he reached the end of his sidewalk where mine begins. My new favorite neighbor continued, plowing my sidewalk.  He reached the end of mine, turned around, and cut a wider path.  My sidewalk was cleared!

 

Thankfulness came over me. This unexpected gift made the task ahead much easier.  The task was now without a doubt within my and the yellow shovel's ability.

 

 

How often have I tried to go forward in life with my yellow shovel when there is a Savior who can clear my path?  From what looks impossible to do on my own, with our Lord’s help, can be made possible.

 

My prayer for our school community is that we continue to trust in our Lord to lead us in His paths.

 

John Thornburg