Under normal circumstances, I’d have been ecstatic to awaken on a mid-February morning in Maryland to a weather forecast of 72 degrees and sunny.  But not this particular morning.  This particular morning, I was on a mission.  A mission doomed to fail as the result of an unseasonably warm winter.

Having recently signed up to sponsor two boys from Tanzania through Compassion International, our family was eager to share with them some of the things they might not have the opportunity to experience in their part of the world.  Like snow.  And since it’s normally a common sight in Maryland during the winter months, I assumed it would be quite easy to obtain photographic evidence of our children frolicking in a pile of the white fluff.

So I anxiously awaited a decent enough snowfall to take some photos.  And waited.  And waited.  

Unfortunately, most of our chances for frozen precipitation were washed away as temperatures hovered well above the freezing point for much of the winter, bringing rain showers instead.

In the days leading up to this particular Saturday, my hope in accomplishing my mission was renewed when temperatures dropped to more seasonable digits.  Though we didn’t see precipitation of any kind that week, the weather had been cold enough to allow the local ski resorts the opportunity to crank up their snow machines in an effort to paint their trails white once again.  Awakening well before dawn that particular morning, my family set out for the ski slopes, hoping to get in a few early morning ski runs before the sun melted whatever snow still lingered.  I, on the other hand, simply hoped for a decent photo op.

The day turned out to be a successful venture for all parties involved.  My husband was able to snap an authentic enough looking shot of our kids at the top of the snow covered mountain while wearing their winter coats.  And soon after the image was captured, having quickly shed their winter attire to better endure the heat of the day, they managed to enjoy a few short hours of skiing before the slopes turned to mud soup.

A few days later as I composed the letter to the boys that would accompany the prized photo, I began to think about how much time and effort went into procuring it.  Based on the amount of snow we typically receive in a given winter, I assumed it would have been a quick and effortless task.  I had taken much for granted.

That thought led me to ponder the other things I take for granted.  Like the abundant supply of food that graces our table.  Easily sourced potable drinking water.  Accessible and state-of-the-art healthcare.  The opportunities our children have to receive a quality education.  The freedom to experience and share God’s love.  Things we expect and take for granted, but things those two boys in Tanzania might consider to be luxuries, even dreams.

I am thankful for the opportunity our family has been given to sponsor these two boys.  And for the chance we have to make a positive difference in their lives.  And that is something I will not take for granted.