Baby It's COLD Outside!
There's cold....and then there's
COLD! Yesterday and today the wind chills ranged from 20 to 30 degrees below zero here in Chicago.
I've lived in this area all of my life, and you'd think that would make me accustomed to this kind of frigid weather. But as I literally sprinted from my car into a local restaurant last night, I was truly shocked that a person could feel cold down to their bones, and that people like me actually choose to live here! We're expecting a heat wave by tomorrow, with temperatures soaring back up into the high twenties or thirties for Christmas Day.
All week long our team at Willow is graciously giving 12 identical services for our community. The dress rehearsal last week featured several serious technical difficulties (code for things did not go well!), but the real thing has been blessed without any of those troubles. I am inspired by the hundreds of volunteers and staff at my church and at so many other churches who sacrifice untold hours of time during this busy season to serve others with their gifts. If you are among that group, I hold you in high regard and ask for God's blessing and deep peace in your soul though I know you are weary and perhaps more than a little over-extended these days. May you enjoy the fulfillment of God's smile and blessing, and a whole lot of rest post-Christmas!