Winter Days Are Here Again So, no matter what anyone may tell you, winter it here! When I have to go outside and face skin-piercing winds, blinding flurries, and 3 inches of snow on my car, it's winter. Today wasn't that bad though, by Mid-Western standards. I worked up a pretty good sweat clearing the driveway but we're still in the "fun phase". You know, when snow is still magical, shovelling isn't a chore, hot chocolate and furry slippers seem like novelties once more. Here's my question, why do these things lose their appeal so fast?
Seriously, the snow won't be any heavier, wetter, or colder in February than it was today. Even though february winds move from skin piercing to bone piercing, what changes in our minds and hearts so that suddenly snow and cold are evil? Just a question, maybe we need new eyes to see the magic all year round? Maybe we need more endurance to face the tough reality all year round? Maybe we need both!
I'm inclined to think the later and to pray for that weird combination in myself: the joyful wonder of a child everyday mixed with the battle-hardened steely discipline of a veteran soldier. Can they co-exist, I sure hope so because that's what gets us through the winter here in the Mid-West, and that's what will get us through the race of life! Lord, grant us steely discipline and joyful wonder everyday that we might more glorify you in thought, word, and deed.
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Rachel and I just got back from a Thanksgiving holiday at her parent's house. I learned all kinds of fun and useful things, like:
1) When hunting deer for 4 hours in the freezing cold, don't unload until you're out of the woods, they may be closer than you think!
2) When hanging a deer for skinning, volunteer to tie the knot so you don't have to hold it up!
3) When carrying firewood, make sure you leave the house door open!
4) When lighting a fire, light the smaller pieces first, trust me it's a lot faster!
5) When clothes shopping with your wife, stop browsing while she's trying things on otherwise you'll get the awkward question, "can I help you?"
