Dear Friends,
There is snow falling as I write this month’s letter. It looks so attractive to see trees and shrubs which are covered with a fine layer of snow that defines their outline. Walking across the Stray was interesting too. Sounds travel across snow in a different way which is slightly muffled. And, most noticeable of all, there is the crump of snow underfoot which is a sound of nostalgic tones taking me back to childhood and wellington boots and building a snowman with friends.
You may begin to think that I am getting rather too sentimental. Snow is also very dangerous and it comes naturally with cold air finding its way into every nook and cranny. In those far off days of childhood I could not understand why my mother always made me wrap up in layer after layer of clothing. Didn’t she realise that thick jumpers and heavy-duty anoraks inhibited the capacity for throwing snowballs? Not being able to hurl a snowball across a reasonable distance meant being drawn into the range of your opponent! Its now, though, when my snowballing days are no more – and “health and safety” excuses are used feebly to withhold children from enjoying such delights anyway – that I realise a few hefty layers are very important.Keeping warm in snowy weather takes priority at last.
Years ago I heard this story from a man who had been awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society for his exploration in the Himalayas during the 1930’s. He had been travelling through the snow-covered mountains in the region of Tibet during the time when it was still ruled by a Dalai Lama. With just one Tibetan guide, he was walking through a high mountain pass when they stumbled upon a man lying in the snow. He had slipped on the snow and broken his ankle. With bad weather coming in quickly, there was no time to get help. My acquaintance apparently did not give a second thought and began to pick up the injured man. At this the Tibetan guide was horrified and said the injured person must be left where he lay or all of them would perish in the snowstorm. Ignoring the guide, the injured man was picked up and carried “piggyback” fashion. At seeing this and fearing for his life, the Tibetan guide ran off ahead. With great effort, the explorer struggled on with his human load plodding through driving snow and eventually they both reached a village. The next day some villagers came to him to tell him that after daybreak they had found the guide’s body buried in snow where he had collapsed with cold not far from the village. Amazingly, carrying the injured man meant there was sufficient shared warmth for them both to survive the dreadful conditions.
It would be unrealistic if I suggested some people manage to get through life without any storms crossing their path. Not snow and cold but personal storms which cause sadness and distress. Personal storms which others know and those which are never know by anyone. Facing them alone is fearful yet when we often thinking the worst, God makes himself known. Perhaps it is a moment of revelation, maybe just a strengthening word from a friend or a line of Scripture, but God is there and with his presence we make it together through the storm and into safe keeping.
I pray that 2015 will be a year during which you find our Heavenly Father in so many ways and places that you can do nothing more than raise voice in gratitude and praise his Holy Name.
Your Minister and friend,
John.