This week we experienced the first real snow of the winter here in New England.  Aside from a freak Nor'easter back in October, which brought about 12 inches of snow,  this has been an extremely mild winter.  Even the locals are talking about the lack of snow and it hurts the economy of some who depend on the extra income of snow removal.  Being from the south, we are used to mild winters and the lack of snow so we haven't really experienced the shock of a New Hampshire winter.  Well, it did finally get really cold and we did have measurable snow this week, prompting my kids to get excited about going out to play in the snow.  Max was very disappointed because even with our 3-4 inches, school was still in session! But since the brunt of the storm came on Saturday, there has been plenty of time for outside play.  On the way to church this morning, Max kept looking out the window and saying, "No footprints! Look Mom, no footprints in that yard either!" At first I didn't really get what he was concerned with but after about the sixth time, I began to understand.  He knew, from the lack of footprints in the yards, that no one had been out playing in this beautiful snow!  I kind of laughed about it and thought of all the footprints (and paw prints) in front of our duplex.  My kids had been outside, fully taking in the beauty of the fresh snow, making their mark all over the gleaming white canvas of our driveway.  I thought about how, in the south, if it ever snowed any decent amount, we would know who had been out playing by the presence of footprints in their yard.  I thought about how fun it was to walk in all the spots where there weren't any footprints.  To be the first to traipse through the untouched blanket of white, fluffy, powder. And to have the urge to go run through a neighbors yard if it remained footprint-free for too long!  We were almost to the church, and Max said, "well, at least I know the church yard will have footprints on it!" When I asked him how he knew, he said, "Because everyone will be there and they love playing in our church yard! " And, sure enough, when we got to church, there were footprints all over the front yard. The church yard had seen some action but why not everywhere else?

I thought about how many of my footprints were on the church yard.  I am at church most every time the doors are open.  I have my footprint in ladies ministry, youth, praise team and Wednesday night meals.  My footprints are all over that place!  But I was also reminded how many times I haven't put my footprints on something because I didn't want to go there.  I didn't take that step of faith and leave my mark out of fear of failure or rejection.  How many times I just didn't want to get my feet wet, or cold or didn't want to mess up my pretty, clean, life by walking somewhere I didn't want to go, or I knew might be messy. People know where you've been; they see your footprints.  I want my footprints visible in doing what I could to share the gospel of Christ. I want my kids to be excited to get their footprints out there doing mission projects.   I want to see the footprints of the ladies of our church out in the yards of their neighbors.  I want to see the footprints of our praise team on the floors of our local nursing homes and homeless shelters.  I want to see the footprints of our youth all over their school yards. I want to see the footprints of the lost, the broken, the hurting, the messed up, all over our church altar where the path has been cleared by those who led them to the cross. Because, if you notice (especially if your feet are size 15 like Dave's) it's much easier to walk in the foot path of the first person who broke through the snowfall. And as the snow melts, those footpaths are the first to become clear so others can step in them without getting messy, trudging through slush or being on a slippery path. Where are your footprints? Do you see mine?  Are you following Christ's?   

  

  Romans 10:14-15, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"   

May all who come behind us find us faithful...