Disappointment: NO snow!

     Well, a big bust for my children--this "snow" event that was supposed to happen.  Yes, I know we southerners are a bit pathetic when it comes to snow: the mere possibility of a dusting throws us into fits of excited anticipation mixed with over-preparedness in the extreme.  A chance of snow flurries?  The Harris Teeter is packed with anxious patrons buying up every last loaf of bread and gallon of milk.  Now seriously, what is that?  Do we really think that a few snowflakes will mean that all bread and milk will disappear from the planet for our remaining lifetimes?  I don't know... but I do know I get caught up in the frenzied excitement just like everybody else.  Time to make chili--even though no one in my family will eat it--and brownies (always an excellent choice, however).
     But we tried and tried last night to somewhat prepare our children for the inevitable letdown this morning.  Last night, our youngest son, Peter, checked the forecast every 3 minutes.  I am not exaggerating.  I began to think he had a future in meteorology.
      "Mom, there's a 100% chance of snow at 9 p.m. A 100% at 10 p.m.  A 100% at 11 p.m...." You get the idea.  We knew all about the amounts of snow we might get, the air temperature--O mercy, I heard ad nauseum about the temperatures and how cold, cold, cold it was going to get.  So surely that snow would stick, stick, stick.
     And then this morning, we awoke to... nothing.  An infinitesimally small dusting on the grass and a bit of a glaze of ice on the back deck.  Peter, bless his heart, had left out this blue bowl above to catch the massive quantities of snow to make snow cream the moment he woke up.  The bowl looks a bit forlorn sitting there, but maybe we can just leave it out there for our next "snow."  It always helps to be proactive.
     Peter also tried to sled on the dusting of snow.  No go.  He even attempted a slide down the glazed deck stairs.  Also pretty unsatisfying.
     So what can you say?  Disappointing to all the children in the extreme.  But, if we're honest, deep down, a bit of a relief to us parents.  Okay, I feel awful even admitting that.  I do love the snow... just not right at the moment.  I don't think I bought enough loaves of bread and gallons of milk.
     But all this reminded me--this is so often our tendency. We all too often place our hope, our joy in the things of this world.  And they will always always always ultimately disappoint us.  We think some thing will bring contentment, and, of course, it may bring momentary happiness--but that feeling never lasts.  Or perhaps a new and improved job or house or health or relationship will really, finally do it.  That's surely what we need. Or we're certain what we really need is just more time--more time to relax, a break from the children or from all our responsibilities, maybe even a nice long vacation--that's the ticket.
     And these are all good, some even necessary, things.  But they are not the best thing.  The ultimate thing that will bring us lasting joy and contentment is found only in the One who made us and knows us and loves us infinitely.  "My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips" (Ps.63:5--i.e. better than chocolate!) and "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Ps.34:8)
     Might need to tell Peter--He's better even than snow cream.  And, after all, He's the inventor and producer and sustainer of the snow.  So we'll just wait on Him.  Our God is so worth it!  To God be the glory.