More Than I Realized

I didn't realize just how special October 23rd is. Until last night.

Yes, it is the day, many years ago, that air filled my {then} tiny lungs and I breathed my first. But that isn't why.

It is also the day that friends and family often gather to celebrate my becoming another year older. But that isn't why either.

Let me back up to last year. 

We were in Ohio over my birthday last year. The night before, the weather stations were reporting that there was a slight chance of snow the following day...October 23rd...my birthday. A day that rarely {if ever} sees snow. My heart quietly rejoiced at the possibility.

Since we now live in the tropics {aka: Forever Summer}, one of my deepest desires for our furlough last year was to {hopefully} see snow and to perhaps enjoy some fun snow days with my family. {Have I mentioned how much I miss snow?} So, this news of possible snow in October was incredible. Unbelievable even.

Would God really choose to give me such a special gift? I had silently thought to myself, yet not being able to hide the smile that was growing across my face. I hadn't asked for it, but He knew full well my heart.

"Can you imagine if God actually gives me snow ON my birthday? In October! Wouldn't that be crazy!?" I said to my family later that night with increasing anticipation, yet not wanting to get my hopes too high...it was October after all...and there was only a "slight chance."

Morning came, I opened my eyes and made my way over to the window. Before I pulled back the curtains, my husband walked in to wish me a Happy Birthday and smiled wide. He told me to look outside. It was like pulling the ribbon off a much-anticipated gift. 

Flurries. Snow!

Beautiful delicate white stuff gracefully and peacefully falling down from above. My eyes lit up. A gift just for me. Personalized for me from my Father in heaven who controls all things...even the weather.

The news said that only five minutes from our house it was snowing harder. Real snow...in October...on my birthday! I was not going to miss this. This beautiful hand-crafted gift from my God. So, since my youngest daughter was still sweetly snoozing, my oldest and I jumped into the car with our pajamas still on and we drove to an open field to play in the snow that early morning. We must have looked like crazy fools running around and spinning, but we didn't care. We laughed like children, and I savored every moment of it. It was a good day. And I was given a good gift.

The first snow of the season...on my birthday last year.

Now, back to last night. As we sat around the table sharing a meal together. My oldest daughter reminded me of what she and I were doing at this time last year. Of where we spent my birthday morning. We reminisced about how much fun it was and how surprised we were.

"God did that just for you, Mommy. It was just a normal day for everyone else, but not for you. And not for me. It was the first time I truly felt happy for someone else. I was happy because I knew God gave you something just because He wanted you to know that He loves you."

I felt the tears welling up. My daughter had seen and experienced Something deeper than the snow that day. And she has held on to that. 

The snow may have since melted, but, for her, the memory of that day has not. It is forever etched within her.

"I remember that day," she continued,"it was the day that I realized just how amazing God is."

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You..." Job 42:5

Yes, my sweet one. Amazing.

A hand-made card my daughter made for me today. It is of the two of us playing in the snow last year.

O Lord, thank You once again for that wonderful day. It truly was a beautiful gift. But, even more so, thank You for revealing Yourself to my daughter in such a beautiful and powerful way. And I ask for more of that for us all - that we may see more and more of who You are. It is You that we desire. You are the true gift and treasure. Amen.