Every time the weather forecasters start calling for snow, I get my hopes up. I know I'm writing this on March 1st and spring flowers are waiting to bloom, but I love snow. I'm sorry for those who have to work out in the cold and snow. But, I love snow! I love watching it fall. I love the beauty of it lining the trees. I love the quietness of it. I love the peacefulness of it.

So, last week when the local meteorologist began saying, "Look out for Saturday night!" I did. I told myself, "Don't get your hopes up. It's not going to snow." But, they kept saying, "Don't be surprised when you wake up tomorrow morning there's going to be more snow than you expected." So, I waited as the cold rain turned to sleet and sure enough, before I went to bed, it was really snowing. That's when I abandoned all skepticism, falling to sleep fully assured that there would be several inches of snow on the ground when I woke.

NOT! We got a "dusting." That's what the folks further east of us were supposed to get. The folks west of us got from 3-10 inches. We got a "dusting." Apparently the weather predictors do not know how active my imagination is. When I think of getting more snow than I am expecting, I expect more than a "dusting."

God's wisdom says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" (Proverbs 12:12 NIV). That's me. I always get my hopes up. When it doesn't happen my heart gets sick. But, when the longing is fulfilled it is like a tree of life.

And I know that I will not be disappointed!

I know some of you are saying, "Are you some kind of nut? It's March 1! It's not supposed to snow on March 1!" Well, it has before. Why not today? After all, that's what they said. That's what I expected.

I'm sure as the day goes on I will understand why being disappointed over not getting a huge snow is not the worst thing that could happen. There are probably some who would say, "You want snow? You can have it!" Others might say, "Grow up, man!" One or two may even say, "It's not a big deal." But, to this childlike heart it is a big deal ... for a few minutes ... for this morning. I thought it was going to snow and I got my hopes up. I'll get over it. In fact, writing this has been very therapeutic. Thanks for letting me share my heart with you. Thank you for listening.

There will be other things that disappoint me in this life. There will be other predictions. I always get my hopes up. But, there will one day when my hopes will not be deferred. One day my dream will come true. One day I will no longer be heartsick. That's when my longings will be ultimately fulfilled. That's when I will see the Lord in all His glory. That's when all broken hearts will be mended. That's when there will be no more farewells. That's when we will all be together forever. That's when we will finally be home. I feel confident that I can get my hopes as high as I possibly can, and I know that I will not be disappointed because the One who is our hope has promised that He is preparing the room.

[Jesus said,] "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking" (John 14:1-4 MSG).

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene H. Peterson Many have awaited the day Eugene Peterson would complete the entire Bible in his unique translational-paraphrase. Well, the wait is over!

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

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