Clay in the Hands

This week, much of our nation is dealing with unbearably cold temperatures.  Even here in south Texas along the coast it is cold – 33 degrees this morning.  That is not all that common in this part of the world.  In fact, last week I was sitting across the table from a gentleman and we were talking about the warm climate we enjoy in this part of the state.

He told me he had moved here many years ago from the midwest.  He still has friends in that part of the country and he was talking to one of his childhood friends who made the comment, “I guess you guys don’t even have winter down there.”  The gentleman’s reply was, “Of course we do, last year I think we had winter on a Thursday!”

There is something to be said for being able to sit on the patio in shorts and flip flops around a fire in the chimnea at Christmas.  But I also have to say, having a cold snap is refreshing as well.  My perspective changes a bit when I can literally see the breath escaping from my mouth.  It reminds me how precious the act of breathing is even though we take it for granted daily.  When it is cold outside, I am reminded of the fragility of our lives.

We are not invincible.  There are some things we cannot control nor defend ourselves from.  We can never be strong enough, good enough or smart enough to overcome our own selfish nature.  That is why we need a savior.

Thanks be to the Father for knowing that about us and taking action.

This time of year we should be especially mindful of what God has done.  We celebrate his in-breaking into humanity with hope and light.

Celebrate his in-breaking this week!