I’m so old that I remember when going outside in the cold meant you would catch a cold! I recently recovered from my yearly knock-me-down cold. Getting it every year in winter would seem to support the cold weather→sick cold hypothesis. Just in case, I’ve painted some oranges and berries to remind you to stay stocked up on your Vitamin C!
We know better these days. We know there have to be germs around first. But today’s extreme cold could certainly wear down a body’s defenses so that germs could settle in for a spell! An extreme cold warning is in effect in our area, with wind chills to -25°F (-31°C). Frostbite could happen within 30 minutes.
The climate of our nation could be compared to a deep freeze. Hearts are hard as a frozen pond, and the germs of malice and hate have found a foothold. But there are pockets of reprieve, where strangers (regardless of political leanings) are invited into the warmth, sheltered from the winds of chaos. These pockets of love and kindness are like immunity boosters against the hostility whipping through the cold winter winds outside.
Every individual we meet is created in the image of God and worthy to be valued on that basis alone. May we spread kindness and mercy today through actions and words to whomever we meet, and may it boost our communal immunity against division and strife.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”
Matthew 5:43-45 NLT
This post is written in response to Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday link-up. These prompts are fun to respond to, and only take five minutes to compose. Today’s prompt? You guessed it! COLD
Lauri Hawley 