21 Below Zero!

The thermometer read minus 21 degrees...that's 21 below zero, this morning here in the woods! That brings me to thinking of times when our hearts might read that cold, especially when misunderstandings occur in families and friendships, when emotions rise, perhaps words are spoken, then regretted.  The aftermath of these situations become a challenge. Sometimes like pipes in our cellars freezing because of the subzero temps, we need to do something to keep them from bursting, causing major havoc! So too, our hearts.

Roof Rake For Snow

So, what do we do when the freezing "pipes" of our own lives challenge us?  This is the third week of January...Christmas isn't too far past. Christmas is about love.  How have we taken this message to heart, or have we? How are we being attentive each and every day when "artic blasts" want to send us running rather than doing something like bundling up and dressing warmer. How? Where do we go to find spiritual warmth and protection?

How do we stay spiritually fit? What practices help our spirit when life challenges us? Each one of us could write a chapter for ourselves with many suggestions. Do these practices include the love we so publicly proclaimed just weeks ago when we celebrated that wonderful day of Christ's birth? How do we nurture our spirit in order to keep from dealing with below zero temps?