Blessings of the "Brrrr's!"

Last night I strolled through Chicago's glowing twilight in a simple lightweight jacket with the temperature around 42 degrees. Nine hours later, I step out into a beautiful and brisk 17 degree morning.

With yesterday being so warm, I often ended conversations at work with, "Hope you can enjoy the day!"

 I was taken aback when the majority of replies were not positive. To be fair, several customers did reply with a version of, "It sure is a beautiful day and I'm enjoying it, even from my office window!" However, most were not so upbeat.

"Don't get used to it. Tomorrow's gonna be awful."
"It may look like spring, but its sure not."
"Winter's just being tricksy -it's not really that great out, and the next couple days are going to nasty."
"Can't. I'll be working all day."
"Ughh. I can't enjoy it, knowing that tomorrow's high is in the teen's right now." (It actually rose to 22!)

What a sad world to live in! If the temperature outside is the thermostat for your mood and outlook on the day, YIKES! That's a lot of power to give something that you can't control or trust!

I'm not saying weather doesn't affect us -it just doesn't need to have the power to control any part of us.

Control is for one being only. God. He is faithful, good, and sovereign. Therefore, He can be trusted to control things for the best interest of His people.

Since I can't change it, I may as well enjoy it! ;o


Blessings of the cold:

• Drinking hot beverages. (Who wants hot tea when it's 100 degree's out?!)
• Bundling up and being cozy with scarves and hats!
• Feeling refreshed after walking or biking. 
• Attempting recipe's long overlooked.
• Walking in solitude through a normally bustling city.
• Hearing squirrels scramble up frozen trees.
• Renewed appreciation for summer.
• Sledding, snow-shoeing, ice-skating, snowmobiling, and of course, snowball fights...
• Watching the gentleness of twirling snowflakes. 
• Gazing through crystal clear, cold skies to a few extra stars at night!