A long time ago, in a land far, far away, lived a little family.
One day, Sylvestor, the youngest son of this little family, asked his daddy if he thought it would snow this year for Christmas.
His daddy, slightly bending down to little Sylvestor, smiled and said, “Son, it’s unlikely, but we can pray for snow.”
Excited, Sylvestor turned and ran to play with his friends who had just arrived for the afternoon.
As they prayed together that evening at bedtime, Sylvestor looked up at his daddy and said, “Daddy, can we pray for snow now?” “Sure, son,” his daddy said. “Let’s pray.”
Sylvestor, in a simple and eager voice, began to speak, “God, I know You have a lot to do each day. I’m really sorry to bother You with this prayer request, but I sure would like it to snow this Christmas. Amen.”
The summer quickly turned to fall, and Thanksgiving was on the horizon. As they prepared for family coming and going, Sylvestor reminded his daddy of his prayer request.
His daddy nodded and assured Sylvestor that he hadn’t forgotten.
Christmas Eve arrived, and the day was cold, but there wasn’t snow in the forecast. Sylvestor was sad as he went to bed that night and asked, “Daddy, why isn’t it going to snow? I prayed and was really hoping God would answer my prayer.” His daddy, recognizing his son’s precious heart and not wanting to give false hope, said, “Son, sometimes our prayers aren’t answered just the way we want, but they are always answered in just the way we need.” With that, Sylvestor fell asleep.
During the night, Sylvestor dreamed a dream. In his dream, he was awakened by the most delicious smells and pleasing sounds. Sleepily, he eased out of bed to draw nearer to the source of this pleasure. As he left his room, he saw the glowing light reflecting off the fire in the hearth and his mommy and daddy quietly working in the kitchen. He noticed a record player moving and could faintly hear one of his favorite Christmas songs.
Easing around the corner, he looked outside, and to his utter amazement, he saw snow. In astonishment, he wiped his eyes to make sure and then ran outside. He jumped and played in the snow, not caring that his pajamas were getting wet. After what seemed to be a long time running, jumping, and making snow angels in the snow, he heard his daddy call his name. He heard it again, even louder.
Just then, he woke up from his dream and saw his daddy leaning over him saying, “Sylvestor, it’s time to wake up. Merry Christmas.”
Walking together, they entered the living room, which was strewn with Christmas decorations, food, gifts, and more. Smiling, Sylvestor hugged his daddy as he looked outside to see no snow on the ground.
“Daddy,” Sylvestor said, “I had the most wonderful dream last night. I dreamed it snowed, and I could play in the snow for the longest time. Daddy, did God answer my prayer?”
His daddy looked down at Sylvestor with a full heart and gently said, “Yes, I believe God did answer your prayer, son, I believe so.”
What’s the story’s lesson?
- God’s answers to prayers are often not what we think, but they are always better than we could have imagined.
“Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
— March 6, 2025