My friend Brian sent me this link the other day with a note to forward it to our mutual friend Eugene in Ireland.
Eugene wrote back that the hilarious video proved quite prophetic for himself and his wife Oonagh, who had recently had dealings with two Claires, but it was Oonagh who had to point out to him the connection! He commented jokingly to me,
“Claire might be as thick as American snow…….but I’m not far behind her!”
My repartee was,
“Does that mean that the Irish in America are like the snow…..thicker than they were in Ireland? God help us!”
Brian then wrote back,
“When I saw the Claire snow angel video, I was impressed with her humility. Really, she could not make the angel on her own, she needed lots of help. She did not give up, even after trying again and again. She was not embarrassed or ashamed or defeated. Even her response was how beautiful her angel was. Certainly God works all things together for good, using all of us thick headed poor souls!”
I recalled how Brian, a contemporary of mine, on a recent missionary trip to India was used by the Lord as he acted out the part of a foolish clown provoking great laughter among the young people!
Paul’s word’s that we are “fools for Christ” came to mind. These are two men who are very ‘smart’ but very small in that they don’t easily take offense.
I was speaking to another friend who is finding it hard to assemble a reliable work crew for his business. His comment was, “People are so sensitive these days. When I want to bring an adjustment, they get offended!!”
Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law….nothing shall offend them.”
When the one who had most reason of all to take offense, bore the cross despising it’s shame is born in us, then we too like saints in the making Brian, Eugene and Claire, become the walking dead as our true identity emerges in unity with, “The Unoffendable One”
The video subtitle, “Irish Woman Failing to Make a Snow Angel” couldn’t be more wrong. It is as we exhibit her humility that we are transformed not just into angels, but into mature ‘sons’ of God “clothed in fine linen, bright and clean.” (Rev. 19:7)….as illustrated by Claire’ s spontaneous and unconscious cries, “Lord help me!” and then as she looked at the end result – “Jesus!”
The Real Mark of a Saint ?………the ability to laugh at ourselves : – )
P.S. I just watched this with our grand daughter Isla. Her comment was, “But she’s so old!” I thought, “It’s never too late for anyone to begin this humble journey toward sainthood!”