By Caleb Schaber
“Experts are saying this might be the biggest snowstorm of the season,” the newscaster’s voice blared from the TV above the cashier’s counter. “We’re expecting temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit and 18 inches of snow by morning . . . ”
Levi pulled his gaze from the television and looked to Mom. She was too busy placing groceries on the counter to notice the broadcast.
“Mom.” Levi tugged her sleeve. “Are we going home after this?”
“Not yet.” Mom fished through her purse for her wallet. “We still need to pick up cold medicine for Miles.”
Levi looked at his younger brother, Miles, who was sitting in the cart. His nose was red and plugged with tissues.
“But Mom,” Levi persisted, “the news said a storm is coming. Shouldn’t we get home soon?”
Mom glanced at the TV. It now displayed a blue blob representing the storm over their state.
“We’ll be home long before the storm starts.” Mom ruffled Levi’s hair and pulled his hood up. “I’ll tell you what. If you help me load these groceries, I’ll make you some hot cocoa when we get home.”
“With the little marshmallows?” Levi asked.
“With the little marshmallows,” Mom agreed.
After what felt like an eternity, the family were finally on their way home. Levi looked out the window nervously. The sky had turned dark gray, and snow was already falling. Worse, Mom was biting her lip, something she only did when she was anxious.
The driveway was white with snow when they pulled in. Cold air blasted Levi as he opened the car door. It had gotten a lot colder in a very short amount of time.
“I’m going to get your brother inside,” Mom said. “Can you start unloading the groceries?”
Levi nodded and went to the back of the car. He had just grabbed two bags when he saw Mom coming back around the house. Her face was pale.
“What’s wrong?” Levi’s heartbeat quickened.
“I forgot my house keys,” Mom said, biting her lip. “We’re locked out.”
“When does Dad come home?” Levi asked. “He has a set of keys.”
“He won’t be home for another two hours,” Mom answered.
Levi’s blood went cold. He remembered the forecast. They were locked outside in a storm that would last hours, and it was only getting colder. He could already feel his hands going numb. He rubbed them together to get the blood flowing again.
“Come with me,” Mom urged. “We can go in the garage and get out of this wind.”
By chance, the door to their detached garage was unlocked. The garage was not insulated, but just being out of the wind helped. Miles was stirring in Mom’s arms, so she set him down. He sniffled and coughed before taking a seat on an upturned bucket.
“My feet are cold, Mom,” Miles said, looking down at his snow boots.
Levi looked at Mom and was relieved to see that she was no longer biting her lip. From her pocket, she produced a couple of empty plastic grocery bags.
“Here, Miles.” Mom removed one of his snow boots and wrapped the plastic bag around his foot before putting it back on. “How’s that?”
“It’s still a little cold,” said Miles, “but it’s a lot better.”
“Good.” Mom turned to Levi. “Do you want some, Levi? They help to insulate from the cold.”
Levi took two of the bags and wrapped them around his own feet. They felt warmer already.
“Come over here,” Mom said, opening her arms. “We need to huddle together to stay warm.”
Levi and Miles squished together with Mom until the three of them looked like a pile of winter coats on the garage floor. Mom began to pray out loud. To Levi’s surprise, she didn’t pray that the storm would end or that the house would become unlocked. Instead, she simply began to thank God.
Mom thanked God that they were able to find all the groceries they needed. She thanked Him for getting them safely home. She even thanked Him for the fact that the garage door had been unlocked so that they had a place to stay. When she finished praying, Levi looked up at her.
“Why didn’t you pray that we would find a way inside the house?” Levi asked.
“In moments like these, it’s more important to thank God for the things we have rather than the things we wish we had,” Mom explained. “Even though things seem scary right now, I know God is with us and we will be safe.”
Levi thought about this. He imagined God watching over them and working on ways to get them out of the storm. He smiled and said his own prayer. Even though they were locked outside in the cold, God was still with them.
Suddenly, light came flooding in through the garage door windows. Mom stood and looked outside, squinting against the brightness. Her face lit up into a wide smile.
“It’s your dad!” Mom exclaimed. “He’s home early!”
Mom picked up Miles, and the three of them ran outside. Levi raced up to Dad and hugged him.
“Whoa there! What’s going on?” Dad turned to Mom. “Why were you in the garage?”
“We got locked out right as the storm started,” Mom explained. “I didn’t think you would be home for another two hours.”
“I didn’t think I would be back this early either,” Dad said, “but everyone was allowed to leave early because of the storm.”
“Praise God that you were.” Mom smiled. “Now please unlock the door before we all freeze to death.”
Once the family got inside, Levi dove under his bedcovers and stayed there until his teeth stopped chattering. He slipped into a warm pair of pajamas and went out to the living room. His parents were in the kitchen making supper, but on the table was a mug of steaming liquid. Levi rushed over and realized what it was: a cup of hot chocolate with little marshmallows. He took a sip and smiled. Nothing had ever tasted so delicious.
