The Storm of the Decade

The storm of the decade The news declared. Snow fall was heavy and deep. Schools closed their doors And the snow beckoned me. There is such a beauty When the world first turns white. Snow on the branches Drifts deep and high. The world stops its chaos and breathes a peaceful sigh. I pulled on my boots My coat, gloves and hat Out into the frosted world I ran. Heaving plows were fighting back. Pushing snow off the roads. The rhythmic sound of many shovels Would clean off the snow. For one precious moment There was white all around. A stillness, a quiet, as I walked toward town. Then I saw him, An old man, Walking barefoot down the road, Ragged and torn, His head bent in sorrow Eyes filled with pain. Leaving naked footprints as he walked. The sight of the man’s tears Marked on his unwashed face Disturbed me, distressed me Shockingly, somehow changed my perception of time. Shattering my illusion of beauty all around. I wondered at the wounds That had broken the man Why was he walking unprepared for the cold? We passed without speaking The moment was lost. I’d rendered no comfort, no warmth No care for his wounds. He had cast a quick glance, Then continued on his way. Spring came early that same year. The image of such need lingers still, Haunting my memory. John 21:15-17, ESV “15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' Peter said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs' (John 21:15, ESV). “16He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep' (John 21:16, ESV). “17Jesus said to Peter the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep'” (John 21:17, ESV). (Graham, 2015) This conversation took place at Tiberius (lake Galilee), after Jesus had risen from the dead. Peter and other disciples were fishing. Jesus appeared, caused their nets to be filled, and invited them to add some fish to the breakfast he was cooking.