The Church Mouse: Wintertime Blues

“For in Him all things were created thing in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, an in Him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:16-17

Do you have the wintertime blues? It seems to me like the time between November 25th and the January 5th of passes by in a blur. All those holidays, parties, church functions, school plays and football games are over with, the holidays can get a bit overwhelming at times. I have eaten a ton of food; listened to thousands Christmas carols and watched about every Christmas movie and football game that was, televised. By the time January 5th, rolls around things begin to slow down to a snail’s pace, or at least it seems like it to me. Those 26 days left in January are dark, damp, dreary, cold and just plain ugly! They seem to drag on and on and on! Thus the wintertime blues set in with full force.

I know we are in the heart of winter and the days are supposed to be short on daylight and long on being cold and dreary. But this latest snowstorm has me wishing for a day of “sunny and 75”.

Besides, I thoroughly dislike snow and cold weather. I do not like snow when it is on the road or I have to drive in it. It is wet and cold, it is slippery and it becomes such a mess after a few days.

Oh! I am sure that several of you were super ecstatic this past Thursday when we were having that snowstorm. I, on the other hand was not so happy.

I guess my main dislike of winter is that it is cold! The cold makes my bones ache. In fact during this last cold spell, I found that I had bones aching that I did not remember having or least they had not hurt for a long time.

Anyways, I was having a real nice pity party for myself since it was cold and I was thinking:

Why is my neck hurting?
Why isn’t hands and feet always cold?
Why do I never seem to get my way?
Why am I fat?
Why do I have to live in a place where it is so hot and humid in the summer you can barely breathe; and so cold in the winter that you could freeze to death taking the dog out?
Why?
Why?

Then I heard the following words, in my head, (as clearly as if this woman who has been dead for almost 35 years was standing right beside me and speaking; She was my great Aunt.)

“Who do you think you are? Are you so special that you think you should not have any problems?”

WOW! Hearing those words, even in my head, certainly threw a wet blanket on my pity party.

Yes, God made me and I am special…but so are you! We are each God’s creation and He loves us just as we are. Remember in the Bible it says that God created us in His image. But He does not stop us from doing crazy and stupid things that are not good for us. He allows us to sin and then He forgives us. (We must ask for this forgiveness.) He does not make us love Him. He gives us free choice to do with our life as we please. But, I find I’m the happiest when I choose to follow Jesus and obey God.

So the next time you are feeling down and out, or you are having a pity party. Get down on your knees and thank God for the good things in your life. I’ll bet that your aches and pains and your wintertime or any ole blues will just vanish.

Prayer-Father, forgive us, as we are complainers and sinners! Help us Father to overcoming our shortcomings and help us to stop grumbling and complaining. We thank You for all the wonderful blessings that you bestow upon us each day (even the snow and cold.) Most of all thank you for sending Jesus to die for us and gives us the gift of eternal life with you. Lead us in Your pathways to help us to become better servants. Amen.

the Church Mouse

Work hard, pray harder!