GOD’S SNOW

by AIC Timothy Espinosa

I always look forward to the snow because it reminds me of one of my favorite verses,

“Come now and 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 be as wool.”

(Isaiah 1:18)

I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t agree that a landscape blanketed in snow is beautiful. Who would argue that a sin-stained soul washed clean was even more so? If only we could see as God sees us.

Here in prison, I’ve often pondered the fact that this whole place is teeming with the worst of the worst. Men incarcerated for every imaginable crime. We’re literal outcasts of society, stigmatized for life. It can be a bit depressing to consider that you’re part of such

The weight of sin itself slowly crushes many

Every consequence of the effects of sin are well known to us prisoners. Broken homes, families and bodies litter our past in our own shame. All the very internal and external repercussions of our terrible choices and selfishness are not only known by us, but many others. The weight of sin itself slowly crushes many, a little more every day. At times, it is playing on the men’s faces, heard in words, or observable just beneath the surface. It’s an ever-present reality in here. It’s like a blanket of guilt-dust and shame-rust pervades the place and clings to just about everyone.

The snow works its enchantment on the once stark prison landscape

Then comes the snow! Whiter than white, clean, sparkling and falling upon such a place as this. Every rusty old weight machine on the yard disappears under its soft shroud. Every bench, fence, and razor wire all likewise covered. The building itself turns beautiful (If I dare say such a thing). The snow works its enchantment on the once stark prison landscape. Inside the units, men amble over to the windows and gaze out as the snow drifts down, seemingly from God himself.

Snow, white, clean, dazzling. It seems to bring newness, change and a sense of peace. Snow is a wonder, at least to me, at least from where I sit here in prison. I sit with a past as red as crimson.

No more lifeless and bloodshot eyes, hardened look, or ready scowl

You see, I can’t help thinking over and over again, as I behold the snow, that my scarlet sins have indeed been blanketed over by the mercy and the grace of God and Christ. No more lifeless and bloodshot eyes, hardened look, or ready scowl. No more sleepless nights conjuring plots of retaliation upon perceived enemies, or continual brooding over past regrets. All the dirt, grime, rust, and funk of sin stains upon my soul have been covered over, just like snow.

The snow will cover all things left open to it

Let me close in assuring you all, that just as the snow will cover all things left open to it, so will the life blanketing forgiveness of a loving God cover all sins through Jesus Christ. Though you can’t remember a time when guilt didn’t weigh you down and though your sins be of scarlet’s darkest hue, be assured God’s grace covers it all!

So then, may the snow come for you like the picture God gave in Isaiah. One of hope that sins awful stains will not be the end of your story. Take heart, this kind of snow will never melt away.