One day a few months ago while I was driving home, it began to lightly snow. We hadn’t had snow fall for a while, as it was either very late in the winter season or early spring. Actually, I wasn’t expecting to see snowflakes again until November. Even as I was driving, I realized the temperature was borderline warm for snow and the ground was much too warm for any snow to stick. So, it was a bit of a surprise and a delight to watch the white flakes drift down through the sky.

When I got home, I lingered outside amongst the falling snowflakes. I then thought that it would be fun to try to catch one of the falling snowflakes on my sleeve so I could admire the intricate beauty of God’s creation. This proved to be a more difficult feat than I anticipated as the flakes fell few and far between. I eventually prayed that one would fall on me, and I just stood there in patient anticipation with my arms extended while I watched the beauty of the snow falling around me.

Finally, a snowflake landed on the cusp of my sleeve. I brought it in close to inspect it. My first thought was, “Really? This snowflake is a tangled mess!” It was about 5 or so snowflakes that apparently had begun to melt, joined, and then refroze together. I could see bits and pieces of individual flakes, but they were all jumbled up with one another. To be honest, at first, I was a bit disappointed. However, after that first thought went flying through my mind, a great impression was laid on my heart. I felt as if the peace of God’s hand stilled my heart and said, “See, a tangled mess can still be beautiful.”

I looked up and realized that most of the falling snowflakes were also other small bunches of tangled snowflakes. And indeed, it was beautiful.

This is a message I need to hear as I consider the chaos in my life and in the lives around me. We all have our share of difficulties and crises. None of us has it “all put together.” In some way or form, we each are a tangled mess. And that is okay. God doesn’t demand perfection from us. In fact, He knows we are incapable of perfection. That’s why He sent Jesus—to be our perfection for us. Even though we are a tangled mess, God sees beauty. You are beautiful to Him.

In that moment, amongst the falling snow, God taught me to look through the chaos to see beauty. Our God is not afraid of chaos. In fact, He is known repeatedly for entering into chaos to bring peace and beauty.

What kind of chaos or difficulties are you experiencing? Invite God into your chaos. He doesn’t want you to bear the burden on your own, but desires to enter into the chaos with you—by your side.

A life of faith is not a life of perfection. God may not untangle “snowflakes” in your life. Instead, He may teach you to see beauty. Remember, when He sees you, He sees someone He loves. When He looks upon you, He thinks you’re beautiful.

* * *** * *

Scriptures for this week:

2 Corinthians 12:8-10
1 Peter 3:3-4
Isaiah 62:1-5 (Hephzibah means “My delight is in her”)
Hebrews 10:14-17
Psalm 45
John 17:20-24