Winter Blues

I really don't like cold weather. And after spending the last four years in Hawaii I will not be ready for this bone chilling months ahead here in Oklahoma. Winter isn't even all that bad in this state compared to say Michigan, but I have never been very fond of cooler temperatures. Maybe it's because I enjoy the outdoors so much and can't play as often when it's so chilly. Nonetheless, the temperature here in Tulsa dropped about 30 degrees over the last 24 hours and had me contemplating the preparation needed before a winter season. I also started thinking about the changing of seasons in general and why it's all necessary.

Most folks know that when it starts to get cold you need to get the house ready; ensure your pipes don't freeze with insulation, clear the chimney/furnace so you can use the fireplace/heater, clean the gutters, stock up non-perishable essentials, etc. The car will also need winterizing so don't forget to buy some antifreeze, throw an ice scraper in the trunk and maybe even some buy some snow tires. Those with pools and gardens have some extra work to do too. Breaking out the sweaters, coats and boots is fun! Unless they're buried in your garage under boxes of random stuff you haven't had a chance to unpack since moving :)

How about emotionally planning for winter? Depression runs rampant during the cold, dark and dreary winter months because people feel alienated, lonely and just plain bored. Are you ready to stay inside most of the day? Have you planned inside activities for you and your kids? Many doctors also recommend supplementing with vitamin D during the winter because you usually cant get enough from the sun. My favorite bible verses for hard times like winter are found in the book of Romans, chapter 5: 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Would we really appreciate and enjoy the spring, summer, fall if it not for winter? Can you imagine the joy of spring flowers without persevering through a cold winter; it would be substantially less and I would even venture to say the law of diminishing returns would probably remove all excitement after several winter-less years. I had the bug man come spray a bit last week since the colder weather is forcing creepy, crawlers into my warm little duplex. If we didn't have several months of freezing temperatures I bet we would soon be overrun with bugs! Hawaii has a huge problem with termites. Why, you ask? Because there is no cold weather to kill them off. The one souvenir I could live without-- termites are scary. They can destroy a whole house from the inside out, just chomping away at the wood in your foundation and furniture.

In closing, I want to encourage you to get ready for the winter. Not just your house, your lawn or your car, but mentally and emotionally. Don't ever lose hope, because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and a spring at the end of winter. The hardships will make you stronger and the strength will shape your character.