It's Freezing Out There!

 

Picture by Caprice Miller

 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. – 2 Timothy 4:2

 

When it freezes in Texas, as it is in the picture above,  our world basically comes to a stop.  The roads ice over and traction is no more when it comes to driving.  So we just resign ourselves to keep the doors shut and the fire stoked.  Hopefully, everyone took note of the weather forecast before the freeze and stocked their pantry.  Otherwise, you will soon realize how much food you don’t have and water too if the pipes freeze.   Cabin fever soon becomes an issue also as we wait for the sun to thaw the ice.  It is such a great feeling to feel the sun on your face after being deprived of it for so long. 

As I think of these winter freezes, it reminds me of the seasons we go through in our lives.  The Summer season is so full of fun in the sun and we experience so much laughter and joy.  As Summer fades into fall we begin to “harvest” what will sustain us through the winter.  We should learn, read and develop relationships with those that will lift us up.  But if we don’t take the time to “harvest” and take in what we need , we could be in real trouble when we experience those winter “events”.  Winter can be harsh.  It could come in the form of loneliness, depression, a bad diagnosis or news of tragedy.  Any of these occurrences can make you feel distant from God.  But how can we prepare for those times?  It’s not as though we can check a forecast to see what we are about to encounter in our lives that make us want to shut the doors and curl up in a blanket.  But what we do know is that we all experience winters in life.  This is why it’s important to be prepared; to stock our heart’s pantry with God’s reminders of His promises and love.  For some, the most warming thing they can do is worship by playing music that reminds them of God’s love.   Sometimes the act of worshipping God in the midst of our “winter event” is enough to stoke the fire of our hearts from a small ember to a burning inferno.   In addition to God’s word on our hearts and worshipping Him we should always remember to reach out to friends who can encourage us.  God puts friends in our lives for this purpose.  Godly friends will always be there to lift you up and act as the warm blanket you need.

 As you go through these winters of life, always remember that seasons come and fade into another season.  After the winter comes the spring.  A season that is full of newness and warmth.  A time when you begin to experience God’s presence as your heart melts for Him again.  You realize then that when you shut the door to the winter bitterness, you might have shut God out for a time too.  We should  be so thankful for the warmth and nourishment God gives us through His word that reminds us of His love and promises, music to worship Him and the friends who encourage us.  We should also remember that no matter what season we are in at the moment, we should always prepare for those winter events.  He wants to make sure we stay warm and nourished.