It was time for our annual men's retreat. I was working full-time at a camp, and we only had a couple of inches of snow on the ground. I put on my boots and prepared to greet the men, lead the first session, announce the activities and take my place working the retreat.
One of the men came up to me, looked at the nearly knee-high Sorels I was wearing, and pointed at them. He asked, "Are you expecting a snow storm?" His question was a sarcastic statement that I had put on the wrong boots that night. We barely had enough snow to wear any boots, and not enough for cross-country skiing or even tubing.
I was frustrated. After all, how should I respond? Do I tell him that the boots were a gift, and that they were the only pair I owned? How would I tell him that being on missionary support and feeding a family of 5 was a challenge? How could I say that I would rather buy boots for my kids? Or that we were saving up to buy a car with a heater that worked?
That night God gave us several inches of snow, despite the forecast. My staff and I worked the next morning to prepare ski trails, open up tubing runs and clean off the broomball and ice skating rinks while the men enjoyed breakfast, relaxed by the fireplace and had a chapel session.
I can't tell you how grateful I was for those boots.
My point is not to complain about complainers, or even to encourage contentedness in your circumstances. All I want to leave with you is the realization that God gives you what you need at the time you need it. Often no more than you need, but never less than you need. He may give you less than you want, like our car without heat, but He will always meet your needs.
Even if your boots don't seem to fit your life right now, they will. When God gives you a gift, you don't always understand. Why did He give me this? And why now? But be patient. He will always show you when the time is right. After all, the One who gives the boots is also the Lord of the snow.
One of the men came up to me, looked at the nearly knee-high Sorels I was wearing, and pointed at them. He asked, "Are you expecting a snow storm?" His question was a sarcastic statement that I had put on the wrong boots that night. We barely had enough snow to wear any boots, and not enough for cross-country skiing or even tubing.
I was frustrated. After all, how should I respond? Do I tell him that the boots were a gift, and that they were the only pair I owned? How would I tell him that being on missionary support and feeding a family of 5 was a challenge? How could I say that I would rather buy boots for my kids? Or that we were saving up to buy a car with a heater that worked?
That night God gave us several inches of snow, despite the forecast. My staff and I worked the next morning to prepare ski trails, open up tubing runs and clean off the broomball and ice skating rinks while the men enjoyed breakfast, relaxed by the fireplace and had a chapel session.
I can't tell you how grateful I was for those boots.
My point is not to complain about complainers, or even to encourage contentedness in your circumstances. All I want to leave with you is the realization that God gives you what you need at the time you need it. Often no more than you need, but never less than you need. He may give you less than you want, like our car without heat, but He will always meet your needs.
Even if your boots don't seem to fit your life right now, they will. When God gives you a gift, you don't always understand. Why did He give me this? And why now? But be patient. He will always show you when the time is right. After all, the One who gives the boots is also the Lord of the snow.
