Today my children experienced their first 'big snow.' The jury is still out on actual numbers, but I think we accumulated 3-4 inches between 12-7pm. That is very impressive for Georgia!
If you have been reading for a while, you may recall that K, P & R prayed hard for snow a few months ago. R, specifically, asked during his nightly bedtime prayers for 'lots and lots of it.'
My husband & I decided to take matters in our own hands in early January and take the children to a park full of imitation snow. The experience was less than wonderful. A few weeks later, we got a wintry mix, which did leave enough snow on the ground for a tiny snowman and makeshift sledding with cookie sheets.
Neither of those experiences compared to what we received today....Three + inches of thick, wet, perfect for snowballs and snowmen, pure, beautiful snow. The children gleefully made respectable sized snowmen, snow angels and snow balls. We sat in front of the fire most of the afternoon and played games while watching it fall for hours. We played in short, fun-filled increments a couple of times. This snow was the real deal.
This afternoon I was left with this thought: How often we settle for cheap substitutes for God''s answer to our prayers? When our children prayed in January, we elected to take matters into our own hands instead of waiting for God to deliver. Truly, there was no comparison between our solution and His.
I must confess that I am tempted all too often to find my own answer, my own solution, rather than wait for God to deliver in His own time. Why do we rob ourselves of the joy and anticipation of waiting for His perfect answer? He is faithful to deliver what we really need, when we really need it. Why don't I trust Him more?
My Wednesday morning Bible Study is really enjoying Priscilla Shirer's One in a Million. This week's lesson was very poignant regarding God's way of answering our prayers. Priscilla challenged us to learn to pray: Lord, this is what I desire. Please do it or something better.
May it be true in my life--from the relatively small stuff like snow to the really big things like cancer. I trust You, Lord!
7 comments:
Living in Central Illinois, heavy snow is a way of life for us. Yet, I am struck with the same thought at each new snow fall.
It comes pure and white; quiet and untouched. We awake in the morning to a blanket of purity and goodness.
Then we shovel it away and drive around in it and the snow becomes black and dirty with our cars and our need to move around.
Like so many things God gives us, it starts out pure and perfect, and once man puts his touch on it, it is less than beautiful; tolerable but tainted.
But then the new snow comes and covers the dirt and grime again and we awake once again to our second chance at purity and untouched beauty.
Truly, this is why I love living in a heavy snowfall area. It is a frequent reminder of God's pure love and starting anew.
So glad your little ones enjoyed it.
Our little neighbor boys actually started a baseball game in the snow today. They even laid out bases and put on catchers' gear. So cute!
I love, love, love snow.
I really appreciate the attitude toward prayer that you mentioned. I've been struggling lately because I felt like I should not be praying for what I want (my husband to return home and our family to be restored), but should just pray for God's Will to be done. This led to very insincere prayers because in truth I long for my husband to love me again! But I felt guilty for praying for that to happen because it might not be God's Will!! I can see now what a vicious cycle that led to ...
Thanks for your post.
I LOVE your blog. I've been reading it for a while now.
So glad your kids got to experience snow. We too got about three to four inches and my kids can't wait to play in it today!!!!
Blessings to you!
Wow. How often I find that I just want to "whip God's will for me into shape"! LIKE I COULD DO IT BETTER! Thanks for a gracious reminder that if God isn't in it, it is not going to be good. In Jan Karon's Mitford books, Father Tim often prayed "the prayer that will not fail": "Your will be done, O Lord."
I think we got about 3 inches here in the mtns. of NC -- but we are trying for the second time to have a birthday party today. Already postponed once due to snow. This poor child's birthday was jan. 12th
You gotta tell me more about Priscilla Shirer's One in A Million. It is one I'm thinking of leading here at our church....
LOVE IT!!!!
I am SO sad... I am in Nashville : ( nothing would have made me happier than seeing your kids playing in the snow... I can just hear their laughter! : )
Oh it is just beautiful!!!!
Will have you right by my heart tonight! : )
So fun! Awesome times!
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