Eight Below

"Clear skies and sunny" sounds like a wonderful weather forecast. Except here in Wisconsin. During a Wisconsin winter, "clear and sunny skies" means cold weather.

A few days ago, it was eight degrees below zero here. That's cold. You know it's cold outside when you step on the snow in your driveway, and it squeaks.

Thankfully there are things we can do to keep ourselves warm in the winter. We can turn up the heat for one. But that comes with a price. We could add more insulation to our house. That too comes with added cost in addition to forethought and planning.

One thing we do in our house is build a fire. It's not long before everything is all warm and toasty inside. But no matter how hard we try, we cannot do anything about the outside temperature.

Oh, there are global warming people who will tell you otherwise. If we would only get rid of the human race, we would have a much cleaner and safer place in which to live. Except we would all be dead.

There IS something that each of us can do to not only warm ourselves but to warm others as well. Take two minutes and make a list of the people you love. Your list doesn't have to be all inclusive. Now, next to each name, write down something you love about them.

Now it's time to start that fire. Send each person on your list a message, telling them what you just wrote down - what you love about them. Are you starting to feel warm yet? No?

Make another list. Write down the names of people who you struggle with, who give you a hand time, or someone you just can't stand. Think of something you love about THEM. There must be something. Send them a message too.

Do you find it harder to send someone you don't like a message of live? Hmm. Read this:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48

What temperature is your heart today? 98.6? Or is it 8 below?