Please Note: This is an unsolicited post. I’m not being paid. I just wanted to share how something I read this morning affected me.
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| Baby, It’s Cold Outside |
Occasionally, I contribute to Alive Now, a devotional publication of The Upper Room. I didn’t write the devotion that appeared there today, but I read it. And it touched me.
Today’s meditation asked what aspects of winter I found most appealing and most difficult.
It also encouraged me to think about people who are less fortunate than I and consider ways I could help.
I’d like to share my answers in hopes they will encourage you to think about these things on this cold 31-degree February morning in 2016.
The Things I Like Best About Winter
Winter’s not my favorite season, but I wouldn’t want to live year-round where I couldn’t feel the crunch of frozen grass underfoot or see my frosty breath at least a few times a year.
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| For Rent? |
On sunny days when the temperature rises, I like to take walks. I rejoice at the discovery of a bird nest tucked into the crooks of bare branches and ice-covered berries glistening in the sun.
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| Dogwood Berries |
I smile and savor all these things as I return to my warm house.
I love seeing geese V over the river and songbirds dine at our feeders.
Let me not forget to thank you as I watch from my tightly insulated abode.
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| Our Private Wonderland |
I still get a thrill out of waking up to a blanket of snow or even better, watching snowflakes silently transform the our neighborhood.
I’m thankful that I don’t have to get out on icy streets. Thank you that I’m warm and toasty inside my house.
I delight in sitting down to a steaming bowl of soup or a scoop of hearty meat pie.
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| Mo’s Hamburger Soup |
Thank you that I can buy such an abundance of food in my grocery store and that I own modern appliances to cook it on. Let me not forget my warm house.
It feels luxurious to snuggle beneath thick a comforter and warm blankets every night.
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My Cozy
Sleeping Quarters |
Let me never take my comfortable bed and warm home for granted.
The Thing I Like the Least About Winter
The hardest thing for me to tolerate in the winter are the bone-chilling temperatures.
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Can You Say Freezing?
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Growing up, I could never play outside as long as the other kids, especially in the snow. My feet just froze. Well, not really, but they felt that way. In high school when my friends ran around without their coats, I didn’t dump mine.
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Peggy Brazil McCall & me
in the early 1960s |
You’ll never hear me say I hate coats. I bought two on sale this year, and I”ll stay bundled up until temps hit at least 60.
I cheered when I discovered fleece-lined shoes and boots.
Thank you that I have always had a warm coat and for the invention of cozy footwear.
Sometimes at night when the wind howls and the rain pounds on our windows, I think of the people huddled in homeless camps or sleeping in rescue shelters.
And I wonder, Who am I, Lord, to have been so blessed?
So many people in need.
Then I go to sleep thanking him for my warm house, ample budget, and comfortable bed. I pray for mercy for all the poor and homeless people in the our world.
In the morning, I get out my checkbook and gather those letters of appeal and salve my conscience for one more time.
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| Be a Cheerful Giver |
Then I pray again.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thank you for the many blessing in my life. May I always give with a generous hand, open purse and full heart. Show me who, where and how to help those in need.
When I finish here, I’ll gather up the warm coats, caps, gloves and sweaters languishing in my closets and drawers and find a place to pass them on.
How about you?
Are you snug and warm today?
Have you thanked your Maker?
Do you have enough to share?
Will you give out of your abundance?
I hope you can say yes to all these things today.
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “
Matthew 25:45
Copyright © Reflections from Dorothy’s Ridge 2016. All rights reserved
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Published by Dorothy Johnson
I'm a lover of God, mother of three, grandmother of eight, and a collector of friends. I like nothing better than talking, listening, laughing and eating with that crowd. My husband, Terry, and I feel blessed to wake up each day to a magnificent view of the Arkansas River. An amazing variety of creatures, from bobcats and coyotes to deer, bunnies and nutria, along with all sorts of birds roam the natural area behind our house. We also share our home with three silly kitties. I often find a lesson in what I see both indoors and out on any given day and usually find myself writing about it. I hope you'll join me in exploring the ways God speaks to us through His creation.
View all posts by Dorothy Johnson
Reflections from Dorothy 
Dorothy,
What a great reminder of the most important prayer: gratitude. Also, to be generous to those in need. Thanks!
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Thanks, Cindy. Sometimes we need to stop and count our blessings. But I know you already do that.
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This is great! I love that you took so many opportunities to express gratitude for things that far too many of us take for granted. Winter is definitely not my favorite season, but I am thankful for the look of wonder in my son's eyes every time he sees snow, for the fact that we can stay nice and warm in our home, and I also love a big bowl of soup on those chilly days. 🙂
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I enjoy winter but know I wouldn't if I had to suffer like so many. Yes, we are so blessed. Wonderful post.
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Thank you, Tiffany. I still love seeing the snow, too, on the first day at least. It is kinda magical.
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Thank you. I know you walk those girls, winter, spring, summer and fall. I'm glad you enjoy winter. It's actually might be easier to take them out than the hottest summer days.
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It is so easy to take those simple blessings for granted. Thank you for the reminder to pause and be thankful.
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Thank you for reading and commenting!
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I am so not a winter person, but I absolutely want a SHORT season of it:) Those long, gray days are the ones that seem to chill me to my bones. But, like you, I should remember my blessings. I can always come in from the cold to a nice, warm house and comfort. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for reading and commenting.
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