March 30 – Breaking ice

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” – Isaiah 1:18

One night, just before I climbed into bed, I peeped through the curtains and caught my breath – the gardens and houses had been transformed into a white winter wonderland. Everything was covered in a deep layer of pure, white, snow. That night it was a beautiful sight, but with the falling outside temperature I knew that by the next morning the soft snow would be white, glistening, covered with a hard crust of treacherous ice. That would take some effort to clear the driveway. According to knowledgeable neighbours, it meant having to break away the top crust of ice first to be able to get the shovel down to the base and lifting it away.

This reminds me of the times I have hurt someone's feelings. I knew I owed them an apology – I had offended them, hurt their feelings, and undermined them. Yes, it was unintentional, but that didn't make it right, but at times, the apology just got stuck in my throat.

Do you find it hard to say "I'm sorry"? When you do or say something that offends, even unintentionally. Do you avert your eyes, harden your heart and go on in silence? Is it even harder if the person is in your own circle of family and friends, someone who by all rights should be treated better than an acquaintance?

Maybe it's the same thing as the crust of snow is what happens to our hearts when we can't quite bring ourselves to get "I'm sorry" out of our mouth. A hard crust is created. A little freeze occurs which, if not dealtwith immediately, can turn into a glacier over time. Think how long it takes for a glacier to thaw. Our lives are much shorter, so it's best not to allow it to build up, pack down, and become a slippery hazard for all of your life.

Work to keep that hard stuff broken up so your heart will remain soft, and your loved ones will remain just that....loved and loving you. When it's difficult to sincerely apologise, and the words stick in your throat, swallow hard and push them out anyhow. Each time you do, it will become easier because there is no layer of crust to go through.

Maybe the person on the other side of the apology, the ones you have hurt, will experience a softening too. Whether they do or not, YOUR heart is clean and soft like freshly fallen snow. Go ahead, you can do it. Break through that crust today!

For music today I have chosen, “Create in me a Clean Heart O God” - by Marantha singers. Click on the picture to listen.