Brrrr! It's noon on a balmy Saturday in January here in the Great White North and the temperature finally broke into double digits for the first time today - 10 degrees and snow, which is perfect for...freezing stuff. I walked out to the garage earlier (while it was still in single digits, mind you) and nearly got frostbite in the 30 seconds I was out there. My disdain of snow and cold has been well-documented and I remain unapologetic for any disparaging comments I may or may not have made in the past concerning such arctic weather conditions. All things being equal, I'd rather be on a beach in my swim trunks, soaking up some sunshine and sweating in 90 degree heat. Mmmmm.... heat.... so toasty.... so friendly.
My toes are cold. Back to reality.
This is starting to sound like a rant (or at least a little bit whiny), so maybe I'll change course a bit. See, we can focus on what's WRONG with our situation and fuss and fume about the injustice of it all. OR... we can focus on the good things that we have and CHOOSE to be happy about it. Does it make the snow melt or raise the temperature? Nope, not at all. Whether or not I change my attitude has no bearing on the situational conditions that surround me. It remains cold. The snow continues to fall. I'm still thinking about my thermal socks (where ARE they, anyway?). BUT... I have the power to make this day a good day, filled with good experiences and happy memories. Barring a major catastrophe befalling me today (i.e. death, war, etc) I can set my thoughts on the blessings that I have and the enjoy my present reality. Let's take a little personal inventory, shall we? I have a home to live in, just had a tasty lunch (Italian Wedding soup and a Koegel bologna sandwich - yum), my family is here with me and I am anticipating a great worship service tomorrow at First Church. Hey, that's a good start! What else? Hmmm.... I have good friends, a garage to keep the snow and ice off of my car, electricity to do some laundry, comfy slippers and fresh Guatemalan coffee from the Keurig. My wife still thrills me when she walks by (not bad after 21 years), I heard the "Mana Mana" song today (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i-L3YTeJJM), and I love my job, which I've never been able to say before coming to Greenville. You know what? LIFE IS GOOD!
This is more than just a little exercise in "positive thinking". I can force myself to ignore pain and suffering and live in a fantasy world where all is well and nothing fazes me. But that's not reality. And it's not healthy. No, what I'm taking about involves a little bit of faith to pull off. You see, what I am choosing is not just to see the positive things in my life, which is an important element in this equation. But a more important part is recognizing that I have hope that transcends any life situation that I find myself in. I have a God who loves me and cares about my wants, needs and dreams. He is a good Father to me and I know He loves me. My hope is in Him, not myself or my circumstance. I have learned how to live in Philippians 4:11-12 - "11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." (NLT). Situations change. Fortunes change. The weather changes almost everyday. But God's love never does and I can safely trust in him. And that makes everything else ok.
But for the record, this heating pad that I'm currently using is my new best friend and my missing thermal socks won't be able to hide forever. Oh, I'll find them. Count on it.
No comments:
Post a Comment