Praying for Snow

"Dear God,
Will you please make it snow?
I would really love that.
Thanks. I love You. Amen."

Olivia has been praying this prayer for at least 8 months. Even through the blistering heat of the summer. I've been telling her that while God most certainly CAN answer her prayer, He usually doesn't bring snow when it's warm enough for us to swim outside. Even still, she has remained resolute in her ritual, and so hopeful that God will honor her request.

This year we made the drive south to be with my side of the family for Christmas. We enjoyed lots of good food, and activity with long walks, bike rides, and mildly hostile games of Settlers of Catan into the wee hours of the morning. Being with family made the time really special...minus the fact that it was a muggy 80*s outside. Perhaps I can blame it on Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" for setting my expectations, but being in shorts and t-shirts just doesn't feel very Christmasy to me. I want a nip in the air, and to wear jeans and slouchy sweaters with some coffee in hand. None of this "Turn on the AC, we're sweating to death" business.

Two days after Christmas, we returned home to find that a cold front had blown in. Olivia's excitement grew when we got out of the car and the bitter wind hit her face; "Maybe it will snow?!!". That evening, she prayed once again, and went to bed, full of hope.

During the night, God answered her prayers. Andrew got me up around 5:30 to show me what handiwork the Lord has been up to while we slept. Snow. It was everywhere. The ground was covered, the tree branches decadently trimmed, and beautifully silhouetted by the white sky. We stood looking out in awe, then both became giddy, anticipating Olivia's response to the granting of her requests.

I was in the kitchen when she rushed out of her room. Eyes wide, she let out a gasp of delight when she looked through the back window upon a world of white. She took it all in for a few seconds before a sense of urgency hit her...she needed to be out in the snow NOW. Breakfast was devoured, everyone was finally layered to Mommy's satisfaction, and out the back door we went. Joyous giggles were soon muffled by mouths full of snow. And it's wasn't that powdery stuff. No, it was a nice wet snow, perfect for mittened hands and creative minds to form. Snowmen were built, munchkin sized snow angels were made, and a path was tramped down the hill for sledding. It was a dream come true. And it delighted my heart to remind Olivia: "Isn't God so good to answer your prayers?! He loves you so much! Just look at this beautiful gift He gave you!"

Olivia's persistence in prayer reminds me that I need to keep praying, even if it's not the right season for Him to answer. Maybe right now He simply wants me to keep going to Him, continually asking that He will lift the pain, heal the brokenness, and bring the joy. To unflinchingly believe that He IS going to respond, and to stay hopeful. Unlike the unjust judge, who finally granted the nagging widow's request, we have a just Father Who loves to hear our petitions and grant us good things. Because He is good. And He brings snow to persistent little girls who ask great things of Him, with hope.