Source: Treasures in the Snow

Winter is definitely upon us. Today was a whopping 10° in my neck of the woods. No matter how you slice it, that’s cold. As I thought about the colder days ahead, I remembered a day last winter when it was 15° below with the wind-chill factor. It was early in the morning and I had to feed the chicken. I can’t tell you how much I didn’t want to go outside and how unhappy I was that I had no choice.

Duty Calls

I bundled up with all that I could put on and still move, then set out to brave the cold. The first few minutes were, let’s just say, less than comfortable. Once Penny (my chicken) was taken care of, I decided to bring in some firewood and restock the rack. All the trudging back and forth in the thick snow, carrying heavy wood warmed me up quite comfortably. Strangely, I didn’t want to go back inside so I sat on the steps and enjoyed the beauty of the morning. My dear little chicken was eating, the wood piles were taken care of, the view was breathtaking and the sun made the snow glisten as if it were littered with tiny jewels. I thanked God for kicking my sorry carcass outside to experience such a moment and to learn some valuable lessons.

Thinking Over Tea

I sat with a cup of hot tea and thought about my time outside. My comfortable, warm spot on the couch made it difficult to imagine there would be any pleasure out there in the bitter cold. Yet, even though the work was hard I experienced joy in the doing of it and a sense of accomplishment when it was finished.

I find that I put things off because they’re difficult and dread and avoid things or circumstances that may be painful; only to find that the more painful part of the circumstance was the worry and dread. I am reminded that even Jesus looked beyond His circumstances, Heb. 12:2- “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I also found that just as my layers of clothing enabled me to withstand the cold weather, I need to be similarly insulated to withstand the cold realities of life.  Not everything will be easy but God has provided a means of protection to help us deal with life’s difficulties.  Eph. 6:13- Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

How About You

Are you facing something that seems insurmountable? Dreading a battle that is looming before you? Don’t give up. Put on your armor, look beyond your circumstance and plow through; remembering Paul’s encouragement in Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne 

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. ® Copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

You can read more about the armor of God in Ephesians 6.

Setting up a blog is supposed to be easy but I managed to complicate it quite significantly. I deleted fields that I couldn’t find again, published things that never posted and messed up my desired web address. There was on-site help available but I couldn’t find it.

I received an email that said, “Thank you for signing up. Click button below to activate your account.” I fussed at my computer. “How am I supposed to activate my account when I’m not ready? I’ve made a huge mess of this thing!” Now, I’m not a lover of drama but there was quite a bit of drama stirred up over this. I cried. I moaned. I called my sister, my son and my friend seeking encouragement, help, a tidbit, anything. They tried. I cried. It was pathetic!

A Ray of Hope

Two days later I saw the email again. In desperation I decided to click the darn button. I got a response immediately. “We’re so glad you decided to join us. Just getting started? We have resources to support you. Need help? We have people standing by to assist you. Need inspiration? You’re now part of a large community. You’re not alone.” Seriously! Was I really that close? Once I was ‘in’ I saw all of my failed attempts (drafts) right away, just waiting to be deleted. I contacted the ‘helpers’ and found out what to do. In just a few short clicks (I won’t say how many) they were gone. It was that easy.

How many times and in how many different ways had I done this very thing with more serious life issues? How many times was help just a prayer away?

How About You?

Do you have a mounting list of ‘failed attempts’, need a clean slate and a fresh start in life? Activate. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Are you struggling with a situation and don’t know what to do and could use some help? Connect. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to Me (God)*, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

Are you teetering on a decision, ready to take that big step but keep doubting yourself or even God’s will for you? That’s where I am; or was. Commit. Proverbs 16:3 states, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”   With that, I take a deep breath, say a short prayer and with sweaty palms click PUBLISH.

I hope this New Year will be wonderful. There will no doubt be hiccups along the way. Whatever it is, don’t do it alone.

If this has blessed you in any way, let me know. If you know someone it might encourage, please share it.

God bless you and keep you,

Roxanne

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. ® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*emphasis added