Footprints in the Snow

Thinking how often I write about my early morning walks, I realize just how important they are to me. I inherited a love of nature from my dad. Walking so early I rarely see another human. It is just me and nature. Whether I see wildlife or notice the trees swaying in the breeze or watch the sunrise, in these quiet moments, I feel as one with nature.  While these walks are always taken under the pretense of exercise, more often than not, my soul seems to benefit more than my body.  

This morning, there was a light coating of fresh fluffy snow on the ground. Mornings like these are some of my favorites. The fresh snow reveals that I am the first human to walk here today. This feels like a gift to me.  I will be the first to experience the pure beauty of the new snow. As I continue along, I notice mine are not the only footprints in the fresh snow. Rabbits, deer and fox have been here overnight.  I love to see their tracks in the snow. Even though we live in the metro area, we are blessed to have wildlife living nearby. Occasionally I am fortunate enough to see it, either in my backyard or on these pre-dawn walks. Seeing the animal tracks in the snow is a reminder that the animals are always close by, even if I don’t see them.

My mind wanders to thinking how God is always nearby, even when I don’t feel His presence. I think of the Footprints in the Sand poem where two sets of footprints fade into one and the author realizes that when God appeared to have left his side, He was actually carrying him through the rough spots of life. I know that He has carried me on more than one occasion. I think how incredible it would be to see God’s actual footprints in the snow and realize all the places where He had been, even though I couldn’t see or feel Him near.  I wonder what God’s footprints would look like. Every animal has footprints unique to their species. I can identify a few of them. But would I be able to identify God’s footprints if I saw them?

I think about the snow itself. Few things can rival the beauty of a gentle snow fall. Even those who despise winter can’t help but smile as the fluffy flakes gently fall around them. The snow doesn’t discriminate where it lands. Nothing is too lowly or too mighty to be touched by the beauty. The world is transformed into something pure and peaceful. It’s as if a bit of Heaven is falling to earth.

Then it occurs to me that the snow itself is God’s footprint. Everything in nature is. We just need to learn to recognize it as such. Seeing God’s footprints is exercise for my soul. Perhaps this is what draws me out the door early each morning.