By Linda Veath Cox

In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

~ Titus 2:7 NIV

 For the second time in a matter of weeks, the weathermen nailed the forecast. Buried in snow, we were living in a winter wonderland—a sparkling sight to behold.

But then there was the matter of my driveway. I could shovel two inches of snow. But ten? I decided to think about it tomorrow and enjoy the beauty of today.

It was later that I heard the tractor, very close to my house. For the second time in a matter of weeks, a neighbor was blading my driveway, and I was saying “thank you, Lord.”

Immediately, memories flooded over me. My father loved snow. He would put the blade on his tractor at the first hint from the weathermen that there might be snow next week. And when the weathermen were right—much to his delight—he would clear the snow from all the neighbors’ lanes. THEN, Daddy would drive his un-cabbed tractor the six miles to town and spend the rest of the day blading driveways, accepting no pay.

And now . . . my neighbor was doing the same for me. I felt doubly blessed. A bladed driveway and special memories.

It also reminded me of how we need to be on the look out for others in need. Someone needing a ride to the doctor. Or things picked up from the store. A simple visit with coffee, rolls, and a listening ear. Leaves raked or snow shoveled. And, of course, sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Just as my dad cleared driveways for others, my neighbor is now doing the same and making memories in the process. My prayer is that all of us can follow their example and reach out to our neighbors as well. Something tells me the sharing of God’s hands-on love can make their “winter wonderlands” sparkle even more brightly.

A big THANK YOU to Scott—and to all those people who have cleared driveways or unselfishly helped their neighbors in times of need. May God bless you all!