Weathering Winter

It's freezing cold out there again this morning-- like -40 with windchill! I definitely prefer to be inside, staying toasty warm. But alas, you can't hide in your house for the duration of winter! So, I'm learning to be prepared-- to wear warmer socks, to don my mittens, to bother with a scarf. And it pays off-- instead of the wind whipping through me, I feel somewhat warm inside my layers. 

For some reason, that reminded me of life this morning. Reality is often cold, but it's much easier to bear when we're well prepared. Prayer, meditation, silence, Bible reading, and listening to God keep us focused on Him and less aware of the cold of life. When are hearts are focused on Him only, it's not so hard to bear the storms of life, though they still happen and still hurt. In fact, I think that is one of our primary challenges here on earth-- to stay steadfastly focused on the Father and His good plans.

We received several encouraging e-mails this week, news that reminded us of some of what God is doing. Tribal churches working their way to a Biblically-based culture. Churches standing behind friends (as ours does!) in amazing ways, allowing them to focus more on the task at hand. The Gospel being preached for the first time in remote areas. Pilots blessing missionaries by their service and their hearts. What a privilege to be servants of the Most High God!