Imprints in the Snow

For some reason, the plow that usually clears the sidewalk between our house and Matthew's school hasn't been out since we got our most recent snow. And you know what? That's entirely OK with me.

Because I have learned some lessons by observing the prints we've left in the snow.

One day last week we were running a little late getting out the door. *gasp!* Happens all the time with my little ADHD buddy. So I was trying to rush Matthew along to get him to school on time. And when we were almost there, he plopped himself down in the snow because he just had to make a snow angel. And then, of course, he had to pause a moment to admire his creation - while I was trying to drag him the rest of the way down the sidewalk and into the building.
But as I walked home after kissing my little buddy good-bye, I paused by that snow angel, too. I remembered Matthew's joy in laying there, flapping his arms and legs around, and I prayed that God would help me slow down. Prayed that He would help me enjoy these last days of walking Matthew to school. (Next year, he'll be riding the bus.)

The next day, just about half way through our trek to school, Matthew laid right down in the snow and said he was too tired to walk up the hill. He hadn't been too tired to stay up too late the night before. Hadn't been too tired to run around the house that morning chasing the dog. But suddenly, he was too tired to walk.
And I? Was frustrated. "Come on, Matthew! You need to get up and walk. Let's go."
Eventually, Matthew did get up. Amazingly - his energy had returned by the time we got to school. Imagine that!
As I retraced our path on my walk home, I had to pause again next to the imprint of Matthew's body in the snow. This time, I thought about the fact that my little guy has legitimate needs for understanding and compassion. I considered my propensity to respond to him with impatience. And I prayed that God would fill me with the grace I need to extend to my children.

I smiled at the footprints which marked where Matthew and I were goofing around. And thanked God when I saw the tracks that showed we had stopped to look at something interesting along the path.
I don't know why the plow didn't come through this time, but I sure am thankful for the lessons I've learned from our imprints in the snow.

I wonder. If you took time to pause today and - in your mind - retraced your steps over the past few days, what lessons would God have for you to learn?