by a very talented writer and mother – Brittany Snyder
Tonight, the six-year-old jumped out of the car and ran outside. Light snow flurries were falling from the sky and joy spread across her face. She is our snow lover through and through. She begged to stay outside all night. We watched as she ran around the yard trying over and over again to catch the small flakes on her tongue.
Suddenly and quite unexpectedly her demeanor changed. The joy dropped from her face and a scowl replaced it. She (quite literally) stomped over and said, “I just prayed. I asked God for a snowstorm. It’s not snowing any harder!” She was slightly angry. Definitely disappointed. And not quite willing to understand my explanation that not every prayer is a yes answer. Within minutes the snow flurries disappeared as quickly as they had come and she returned to the house with a sigh.
How quickly her delight and joy in the gift of unexpected flurries turned into anger at an unanswered prayer for more than she had already been given. Her initial gratitude quickly became replaced with greed. Life was good and she was still unhappy.
How often are we just like that six-year-old? How quickly do we forget the good and unexpected gifts we have been given by the Lord as our human nature constantly wants for more? How often do our prayers drift away from gratitude and towards our list of wants? Even more so, how far do we stray from gratitude of any kind when life is not going our way?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 brings us the beautiful reminder that we are to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This world is going to leave us wanting for a lot. This world is never going to satisfy us – even on the beautiful snow-covered nights. However, in Christ we have so much to be thankful for. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, the One who laid it all down for His children that He loves so dearly. Let us keep that in perspective when our human nature keeps us craving more than what we have been given.
What are your circumstances right now? Are you experiencing the snow-covered beauty of a winter night and still finding yourself wanting more? Are you in what seems to be an endless valley and the concept of gratitude seems hard to even grasp? Try turning your eyes back to Jesus and thanking him for all the beautiful gifts he has given you. How about giving thanks, even when the snow is not falling……