Partaking
By Nancy Hilton
From God’s Wakeup Call

There was a world covered with snow. Each flake piled upon the next to form a great mound that increased in volume until it became a huge bank. A little boy ventured out into the hush of dawn. The world was quiet—the snow muffled the sounds; a soft crunch was the only noise as he walked onward. He was the first one into the wonderland of new snow; his steps were the first made in that fresh whiteness.

He saw a lonely cardinal perched on a pine branch and watched the bright red against the white in the early light. Dressed warmly in high-top boots and a goose-down parka, he breathed the clean air and thanked God for a perfect day. Everything was white; so much snow had fallen that even the cars were hidden. He could see his breath puff in the cold as he walked, making patterns in the snow. He walked in circles and back and forth, made snow angels, and began working on a snowman — what fun!

Pretty soon he heard a voice calling, “Son! Oh son — breakfast is ready. Come eat and warm up by the fire!” The boy turned, his eyes glowing and cheeks red, and yelled, “I’ll be right there, Mom!” He ran in, and she helped him peel off the layers of clothing to find her laughing boy beneath.

“Did you have a good time, son? Did you see the wonders of God early this morning?” she asked. “Yes, Mother, I did,” he cried, hugging her and snuggling into her embrace. The love they felt for each other was overwhelming, the moment perfect, and their praise to God complete.

As they sat down to eat, the rest of the family joined them. “Looks like another beautiful day,” someone said. “Thank you, Lord, for all your love and beauty. Thank you for the abundance you place before us. Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for our lives. Thank you for this day.”