“How do you like my party favors?” My sister asked over the phone. We had just finished our “Happy Birthday to You” song, followed by “Happy Snow Day to You!” I watched her “party favor snow” drift gently onto my sleeve. It doesn’t snow in the Florida Panhandle.
As kids in California, Paula and I dreamed of a white Christmas or snow on our winter birthdays. It has always been just that, a fantasy, until now. Here we were, in our mid-fifties, laughing that our childhood dream had finally come true.
Navarre, Florida didn’t just have a dusting of snow. We had eight inches of glorious, snow-man-making, wonderful, white snow. It felt miraculous. It made me remember the last time I saw snow.
We were in Sacramento. Our assignment felt impossible. Paula and I had to find a memory care placement for our dear mama whose Alzheimers had advanced. God gave us favor as we went down lists of phone numbers and visited facilities. Amid that overwhelming week, it snowed! I remember seeing a little snowman someone made in front of the daycare place where I had to leave Mom for a few hours. The snow felt unreal. I imagined God whispering to my heart,
“I love you! I can do anything. I can even make it snow in the spring, in Sacramento.”
My mom received skilled, compassionate care. The painful experience demonstrated God’s favor when we had to go where we didn’t want to be. He’s like that.
“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)
Our snow week was glorious. Most welcomed Paula’s party favors. Neighbors canceled important plans and played in the snow.
The One who holds the heavenly storehouses laden with snow (Job 38:22) holds our lives in His care.
We trust Him.
I’m thankful for these snowy reminders
of His favor in every season
of our lives.
Chihuahuas running through the snow
making coffee nervous,
and only wagging tails do show
above the frosty surface,
with Bray the Dachshund close behind,
galumphing in great joy.
Snow’s something she doesn’t mind,
and thinks of as a toy,
but big tough Pit Bulls try to hide
in closet or beneath the bed.
They would rather stay inside,
use kitty’s litter box instead,
but in the end they acquiese
as long as they have winter dress.
Thanks for sharing this memory with us.
It warmed my heart.
i love how you chose to see the snow… as a fun blessing from God. I imagine him smiling at you as he sent the snow. 🙂