Daddy, Why Does It Snow?

Andi and I are planning on home schooling our children.  The thought is at times a terrifying one because most of the things I learned in K-12 have long since left the immediate store-places of my mind.  That is why Andi will be doing most of the teaching about reading, writing, and arithmetic.  I know that many questions will come from the mouths of my children that I will be unable to answer.  I also know that the questions from a child are a wonderful blessing from God.

Today is the first real snow in Evergreen, CO.  Hard to believe, but up till now the ground has been pretty much dry.  We took Callie Grace and Justus to McDonald’s this morning for breakfast because we knew we might be snowed in for a day or two.  On the way home, it was pouring snow and Callie was in the back seat wide eyed.  Although it never came, I was waiting for this question:  “Daddy, why does it snow?”  How would I have responded?

I could go first to the science route and explain how snow is water vapor that changed directly into a solid state because of a change in temperature.  Or I could explain why the snow must fall in order to provide much needed refreshment and water to our trees and land.  Or, I could reflect on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, to impress on my children the truth of God’s ways, and respond in a way that will teach them to fear and love the Lord.  So, I would have said this:

“Callie, let’s read Job 37 together.  It says, ‘God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding.  He says to the snow, “fall on the earth” and to the rain shower “be a mighty downpour.”  So that everyone He has made may know His work; He stops their labor.’  Baby doll, there are many reasons why it snows, but the most important is for us to be amazed at how wonderful and how powerful God is.  When God makes it snow, He wants us to remember He is in control of all things.  He is God”

And then I would pray with her, something like this.

Dear God,
The snow is so beautiful, but not near as beautiful as you.
It provides us water, but not the Living Water like you.
It is fun to play in, but not like the pleasure that comes from you.
Thank you for making us.  Thank you for making snow.
Thank you for you.
Amen.