The temperatures have really plummeted. Even if it was the winter it would be really cold, but to be experiencing this in March just seems crazy.
It is the reality, though, so it’s a case of how to keep on living despite that.
It highlights what a blessing it really is to have a house to go into and call home. It highlights what a blessing it is to have heating in that home. It highlights what a blessing it is to have a bed with thick blankets and duvets to sleep in. It highlights what a blessing it is to have hot water available and a decent set of clothing to wear that keeps things wrapped up and cosy.
These are blessings that are not to be diminished or overlooked. Yet there are a few blessings that genuinely warm me up just as much as those.
Memories of shivering out on a perishing cold day and wishing I was inside, but being able to bear it because I was with a good friend and he made me laugh. He did a great job of keeping me so busy laughing I hardly paid attention to the cold.
Memories of a time when we were snowed in and could not go anywhere for a long time. Yet without needing a gadget or even the TV we were able to keep ourselves occupied with crazy games and great conversations. Everyone contributed something to that time together. Whether it was a great question, a fascinating story or a good joke. Everyone chipped in.
What really warms me up is not just those memories, but the knowledge that even as I type this, I know there are people that I can contact whose company would warm me up perhaps better than even that duvet we have in our room. Great children and a wonderful wife are heart-warming blessings in themselves. Two outstanding siblings and generous, loving parents deepens that sense of blessing. Beyond that it’s my honour to know men and women who know what it is to spend quality time with each other. Even joking about the weather can be a warming experience.
It’s great to have that knowledge and those relationships, whatever the weather.
(Photo by Lennert De Ryck on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 