The Natural Snowboarder

Background: It’s a snowday. My son stands on our sled and goes sliding down the hill. He gets to the bottom, still on his feet, and with excitement exclaims, “I’m a natural snowboarder!” This is followed by an end-zone pose you might see when a football player scores.

There was a defining moment that preceded this. Here’s the scenario that yielded the background ending. I was sitting on a chair in the living room watching the kids play outside in snow. This snow was the kind that didn’t stick together, so every time the boys tried sledding down the hill, they would get stuck in the snow. I got off my rump a few times to open the door and holler out to them to make a path in the snow with the sled and then they would be able to slide down. They couldn’t grasp this concept of making the path, so they eventually left the sled at the bottom of the hill and pursued other snow-filled tasks.

It’s cold outside, I have no desire to get myself dressed to go out there or for them to stay out there long. But I got frustrated that they gave up on sledding. That snow was ripe for sledding and they were out there messing around instead of enjoying the thrill of whipping down a hill and falling into the snow. So I gave in to my frustration, put on my snow boots and coat and headed out into the cold. (That was the defining moment)

I made the path, we began sledding, it was a blast. Then I came up with the brilliant idea of using the sled as a snowboard. By this time my husband was provoked to come out as well. (When others see you doing something fun, they always want to jump in). Of course I couldn’t be the guinea pig, I had my husband go first. The sled proved to be an excellent snowboard, so I tried it and then my son. Which brings us back to the background at the top of the post.

My son proclaims that he is a natural at snowboarding. This may be true, we’ll see after a few times on some real slopes and not a tiny hill in front of the apartment. But if it is true, think of how long this discovery could have been delayed if I didn’t get off my tushy and go out and help them have fun. That snow could have melted the next day and been the last snow of the year and another opportunity may not have come until he was a grown man, now past his prime of becoming a professional snowboarder and winner of the X Games.

v15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
v20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
v27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
v31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Verse 15 and 27 are straight-forward. The P31 gets off her caboose and does what needs to be done, even if she has to get up early to prepare for everyone. If she entertains idleness, something is going to come up short or missing. Verse 20 is where I really want to focus. If no one gave the poor and needy an opportunity, their potential may never be unlocked. We must be in the habit of making opportunities available for others, instead of being lazy or trying to protect our own livelihood. Extending your hand to others could be the life changing moment of their lives and your contribution to their success adds fruit to your life.

Reference: Proverbs 31:15, 20, 27, 31