Winter. Winter in Northern Ohio means cold… and windy. I admit it… and I’ve mentioned it before — I am a sissy for cold weather. I just don’t know if I would make it in Minnesota. I remember visiting my grandparents home in western Pennsylvania during winter as a kid and almost experiencing heat stroke because of how hot my randfather kept the house… I’m not sure exactly where he set the thermostat, but it was somewhere just shy of the Sahara Desert heat index. Grandpa was notorious for always being cold. Over the last couple of years as I have aged more, I have realized that I am definitely my grandfather’s grandson. Winter months in the evening always find me bundled up in a blanket in my chair in our living room — wrapped from head to toe.
Just this past week I told Lauri that maybe I would install a wood burning stove in our home this summer and I’m sure she thought, “Oh no, NOW how hot is Steve going to keep our house?” She needn’t worry… I won’t go as high as the Sahara — maybe Death Valley — but not the Sahara.
One thing that has helped me get through the cold of winter is about 10 years ago Lauri and I started taking at least one week of vacation to Florida during February. As soon as Christmas is over I begin looking forward to that 2nd or 3rd week in February of warmth in the Sunshine State! 80 degree days! Don’t pack the shorts away for the winter because I will need them in Florida!
It’s amazing how much knowing that I will have that week down south positively effects my winter blue mindset! I begin planning the trip at the beginning of January and look forward to going… then once the trip is over… hey… it’s just 4-6 weeks till spring — I can do this! Yeah, anticipating the warmth of that week really helps me when the snow is flying and the wind is threatening to strip the flesh from my bones.
You know, this week I was pondering about how the promise of Heaven helps me adjust my focus in life when things are challenging. I have come down with a nasty cold this week, and as I have dealt with chest congestion, coughing and feeling lethargic, I have often pondered the future reality that someday I will never be sick again. Christians ought to live in expectation of the future reality that God is preparing for his people. The Apostle John heard and saw the following that he recorded in Revelation.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:3-5 NIV
Oh Heaven! How I am looking forward to Heaven where God himself will dwell among his people… a place where the Risen King Jesus is making EVERYTHING NEW! Have you ever wondered what EVERYTHING NEW is? Yeah… I know… it’s everything… but what new things is Jesus making anew for his people. You can bet your bottom dollar that will be spectacular. And I’ll also just bet the temperature — will be perfect!
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