A Full Heart

This morning's view out the picture window is chilling. There's a light dusting of snow on the ground, the trees have shed their leaves, and the wind is sporadically blowing – even howling at times. I'm chilled to the bone just thinking about going outside in these 20-something degree temperatures!

When I was young (and we're talking many long years ago), I loved the winter weather. Growing up in a suburb of Cleveland, snow and cold temperatures were something we just accepted as normal life. Sledding. Tobogganning. Ice Skating. Snowmen. Snow forts and snowball fights. The cold weather was always graced with winter fun and sports ... this young girl loved it!

I remember coming in the house after hours playing in the snow with neighborhood friends. My mom would meet me just inside the back door where I would take off my snowy jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, leggings, and boots. She gathered them up, took them downstairs, shook them off, and put them in the dryer so I would be ready to go back out when Dad got home from work. And, I couldn't wait!

While he shoveled the sidewalks and plowed the driveway, I enjoyed throwing snowballs at him and daring him to stop and chase me into the hip-deep drifts of snow. Then came the tackle ... how I loved my Dad's playful spirit! He never allowed an opportunity to play pass him by!

By the time we were ready to come back inside, Mom had a hot meal ready to "warm our bones". She wasn't playful like Dad but she loved making sure her family was fed, warm, and prepared for the next snowball fight!

As I recount the many memories of childhood in the winter, tears well up in my eyes. Life seemed so simple. We weren't rich and we didn't have a lot of "stuff", but I felt the unmatchable richness of love. Things could have been so different had they not chosen to give me their name, and their home, and built for me a future filled with a tender heart and warm memories!

I'm giving thanks (again) for God's providential care, for the life He's granted me, for the love of family and friends, and for another winter season to give Him the glory due His name.

No matter the weather outside today, my heart is full.

"And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name." (1 Chronicles 29:13)