Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

(Disclaimer, this post written by a second generation Floridian who has never lived farther north of Tampa Bay and only went as far as South Carolina to college so she could see snow.) I know some people live in places where the snow is piled high, cars start by remote control so they can be warm in time for the morning commute and wool is worn out of necessity not pleasure. Those people will pooh pooh our measly 37 degree temperature, but for us Floridians, it is mighty cold outside. This morning after more than a week of lying in bed until I chose to get up, I returned back to work. Back to getting up before dawn to feed hungry horses. Back to fighting through traffic to get over two bridges to my office. And I had to do it on a morning when there was ICE on my windshield! Floridians don’t normally carry ice scrapers in their cars so I had to keep spraying the windshield with water and rubbing it with the wipers until the frozen flakes gathered in the corners. It lasted until I was almost over the second bridge and the sun was coming up over the horizon before it finally melted. There is a freeze warning out tonight, and people are worried the oranges and strawberries will freeze. I usually fight husband over every degree raised on the thermostat, but was grateful for the heat. I think I must be about over hot flashes and into the little old lady stage. I’m actually wearing a flannel night gown instead of my summertime sleep shirt. The Dobermans stood mournfully staring at us until we got out their sweatshirts for them. Lucy thinks she looks snazzy in her bright pink while Sky’s shirt makes me laugh as she parades around wearing a picture of a hunting dog on her chest. Of course all this cold weather came just in time to test everyone who made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more. I wore a leather jacket, gloves, wool scarf and hat as I lumbered my way around the island on my bicycle tonight. Four trips down, forty-nine more to go until my next doctor’s visit in February. I passed lots of people bundled up out walking or running, and we shouted “Happy New Year’s Resolution!” to each other. I wonder how many of us will still be exercising come warm weather and mosquito season? It makes me think about an experience husband had last week. He waited on a customer at work and making small talk said, “I guess Christmas is finally over.” To which she replied, “Christmas is never over. I celebrate it all year long.” Like short lived New Year’s resolutions, we box Christmas away for another year, but if we truly remember what the season is all about, it will live on in our words and actions for twelve months instead of one. It’s about more than a baby’s birth, but a Savior who gave His life for us. That can keep us warm hearted all year long. Gratitude gives way to obedience. That’s better than a New Year’s resolution and a lot longer lasting.