The Parable of the Snow Globe

It was Christmas Eve, and eight-year-old Joey was opening presents with his family at Grandma Baker’s house. Several presents were remaining, but Joey’s attention was distracted by the snow globe on Grandma’s credenza.

Over and over, he shook the globe, watching in awe as the snow hid the cottage scene from view. It was as if he could make the cottage disappear!

“Joey, you have more presents to open,” his dad reminded him.

But Joey persisted. The snow globe had captured his attention, and he couldn’t imagine any presents being as fun.

Finally, Grandma Baker went over to Joey and tried a new tactic. “Joey, I love that snow globe too. Can I tell you why?”

“Sure, Grandma,” he replied, still gazing at the globe.

“Joey, I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve found that life is often just like this snow globe. Sometimes we get all shaken up inside, and we can’t even see the things that are right in front of us.”

“What do you mean, Grandma?” he asked quizzically. “How could we get shaken up like that?”

“Well, you’ll understand a lot more about that as you get older, Joey. Sometimes things just don’t go our way. Or maybe someone is mean to us. Or perhaps we’re feeling sick. When things like that happen, our heart can become shaken up like the snow globe.”

“What’s so bad about that, Grandma? I think the snow is pretty.”

“Yes, it’s pretty, but it hides the beautiful scenery, Joey. When that happens in our heart, we can’t see the Lord or His plan for us very well, and sometimes we don’t even know where we are!”

“That sounds pretty bad. What can we do when our heart gets that way? How can we see the picture again?”

Grandma Baker smiled and picked up an old Bible from the coffee table. “There’s a Scripture passage that describes this, Joey.”

“The Bible talks about snow globes?”

“No, not snow globes, but about what happens when our hearts get cloudy like that.”

Flipping through the well-worn pages, she continued, “Psalm 46:10 tells us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ When we quit what we’re doing and quiet our heart in God’s presence, the cloudy circumstances sink to the ground and let us see the beautiful picture again.” 

“Wow, that’s cool, Grandma! I’m going to remember that story forever!”

Friend, do you find your heart agitated by the cares of life today? Are you struggling to hear the tender voice of your Heavenly Father amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season?

Then remember the lesson of the snow globe. 

Take time to get away from the commotion around you and quiet your heart in God’s presence. Allow all the cares and questions to settle to the ground, revealing the Lord’s beautiful plan for your life once again!