Lucky or Puddles?

 

“Wake up every morning being thankful for the gift of life 

with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.” 

  When Robin Hughes read a book about the weather to her kindergartners, she noticed that they looked confused when the children in the story started to sled, make snow angels, and participate in other fun snow day activities. And that’s when it hit her: How many of these Floridian children had even seen snow? Curious, she asked them just that…and only two kids raised their hands. 

  “I was shocked that they had not seen snow. It’s hard for kids to understand the concept because they don’t have the relevant knowledge,” said Robin. That’s when she began to think outside the box. With family still living in Kentucky, she texted her sister a very important request that started with a classic question: “Do you want to build a snowman?” She then explained that, should it ever snow enough in Kentucky, she wanted her to try to overnight a snowman through UPS to her school. 

  When January 8^th rolled around, her sister’s city had an impressive 10” of snow — enough to build a small snowman. After a bit of planning, she carefully secured the snowman in foil and then surrounded it with ice packs and Styrofoam. The sisters paid $75 to have him overnighted to Florida…and then it arrived! It was a moment of truth: Had the snowman survived the trip? Robin and another teacher gathered the students together for the big reveal, explaining beforehand that if their snowman friend arrived intact, he’d be named Lucky. If not, he’d be called Puddles. Thankfully, as soon as Robin opened up the box, she excitedly let everyone know that Lucky had made it all the way from Kentucky without a scratch!

  “I was so excited because he made it and just the pure joy [the kids] had seeing this snowman,” Robin said. “They wanted to touch him. ‘Is he coming to life?’ [they asked].” Since that day, the children have yet to get over their love of Lucky. Currently, he’s being kept in the school cafeteria’s freezer. But at least twice a day, he’s taken out on a silver platter for them to touch, admire, and ask questions. As is the case with all snowmen, Lucky won’t stay like this forever. The school devised a great plan for where he’ll go next. When spring rolls around a melted Lucky will help water the newly-planted garden near the kindergartners’ class.

  When I heard about Lucky the Snowman, “I thought what a great story, and then I thought, what a great teacher!” What a fantastic way to celebrate and enjoy the little things in life and bring joy over something that most of us take for granted – snow! Too many of us miss out on day-to-day blessings and enjoyments.

  If you hang around some Christians, you’d conclude that believers are to be miserable. Years ago I remember entering a local restaurant for a pastors’ meeting. As I walked in the hostess asked, “Are you here for the pastors’ meeting?” and I quipped, “No, I’ve been sick.” Too many pastors and Christians have faces that look like they chronically imbibe sour milk.

  One of the continued themes of Scripture and particularly the book of Ecclesiastes is that God wants us to enjoy life. God created Eden which was beautiful and perfect. It included everything our first parents could ever imagine enjoying. God wanted them (and us) to enjoy His creation. He wants us as His children to enjoy life.

 That begins with enjoying the Giver, yet our thoughtful Heavenly Father wants us to enjoy His innumerable gifts in the here and now. Too often we’re spinning like hamsters on a wheel and miss out on enjoying His countless good gifts. God wants us to enjoy this life.

  It means that we have to slow down. I’m looking forward to warm weather. There’s nothing like a walk in the warm spring air, smelling flowers in bloom, hearing birds singing, or listening to the wind in the trees. I love to sit on a bench in our front yard and read, and enjoy God’s wonderful creation right in front of me. 

  The Bible talks a lot about enjoying your marriage and your family. It seems that the longer we’re married the little annoyances become big and traits in our spouse we appreciate shrink. As I’ve done marital counseling over the years, I’ve often found that the annoyances that are “big” usually add up to about 5 or 10% of the relationship. Yet, what’s overlooked is the 90% we appreciate about our spouse. It’s a matter of focus. 

  Then, far too many parents miss out on enjoying their children being children. Each stage is a new adventure. It’s never boring. Parents tend to love the early years but allow the teen years to become irritations and even battlefields. That transition from childhood to adulthood is exciting. We’re to give our children roots and wings. As they begin to move into adulthood, we see the character and spiritual seeds we sowed during those formative years bearing fruit. It can be very fulfilling! 

  We must learn to enjoy the little things. We’ve been fed a lie that enjoyment is only in the big things like a super vacation or an extravagant meal. What’s lost is the day-to-day and moment-by-moment enjoyment that God has given us. The “little things” become big when they’re missing.

  For example, most of us give little thought to a warm shower but if the hot water heater goes out, all of sudden what was small becomes huge. Our chocolate lab, Ernie, is aging. It won’t be long before he won’t greet me at the door anymore. It will be a tough day. There’s just something special about a soft bed with clean sheets where you can smell the freshness. Or how about homemade bread or a tomato fresh from the garden? 

  As we learn to stop and take the time to enjoy the “little things,” each day becomes a new adventure. This week take time to enjoy God’s wonderful creation, even if it’s a snowman delivered by UPS. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.