It has been my quest recently to look more for gospel lessons in the things around me. A few weeks ago we had a huge snow storm but I was gone most of the day so I didn't get my driveway cleared off. The snow was very wet and slushy. The next morning I went out to clear the snow but to my surprise I didn't find any snow. During the night the driveway slush had turned to ice. The temperature was well below freezing and a stiff wind was making things worse. The usually fun activity of using the snow blower turned miserable. As I completed the task as best I could, I came up with the following thoughts.
1. It is best to clear the snow the same day it falls.
Snow on the first day is the lightest and the easiest to clear. Leaving it on the drive for multiple days only packs the snow and it eventually turns to ice. True, the sun might come out the next day - but probably not. It has been a few weeks now since that storm, and ice -- that pesky ice -- is still covering part of my driveway.
One gospel analogy to this principle is to repent quickly. Waiting to repent makes things worse, and harder - like the snow turning to ice.
2. It's not very productive to use a snow blower during a wind storm.
That may seem at odds with the previous point, but I still think it is a valid point. When snow-blowing during a storm, it always seems like most of the snow ends back on my face.
There are definite gospel analogies here. The storm is not the best time for correction. Christs response to the woman taken in adultery is very instructive, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
There are a lot of things the Savior could have said on that occasion. "Let's reflect a minute on all of the little decisions you have made up until this moment that got you into this predicament." or "You were in quite a mess there. You need to choose better friends and dress more modestly." But he didn't lecture. He didn't even try to correct. He didn't even point out all of the things she had done wrong. He let the moment speak for itself. Too frequently I try to fix the situation while in the midst of the storm, when it would be more effective to let the storm pass.
3. Using the snow blower is easier than clearing the driveway by hand.
Life is hard for everyone, and in the end of this mortal existence every one will die. Knowing and trying to live according to the gospel make the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" more bearable and less penetrable. My experience with the gospel and Christ's church has taught me that there is no reason for anyone to go hungry, naked, or cold, or friendless, or have nothing worthwhile to do. The gospel makes like better.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
We are still in the yoke, we still have to work, we still need to get the driveway cleared -- but it is a lot easier with a snow blower. It is a lot easier when we are yoked with Christ.
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