The Cold Front
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The day had been filled with boundless opportunities. Mom and Dad had rented a cabin on a lake in northern Wisconsin. We had looked forward to the trip, for we would be spending time on a lake – fishing, swimming and hanging out with each other, Now that the day finally arrived, we didn’t know what we wanted to do first – jump in the lake, hike in the woods, or take the boat out fishing. So we did all three.
We started with a run to the beach – gathering speed as we bounded down the hill that led to the beach. When we hit the water, we raised our knees and continued running until we dropped into the cool, refreshing water. We splashed each other, swam until our fingers wrinkled. We sat and dried on the beach, building sand castles and deciding if there was enough sand to bury our baby brother – there wasn’t.
We wolfed down lunch and set out to explore the woods around the cabin. We walked the trail, the leaves arched over us forming a tunnel of shade. We smelled the damp forest smells and looked for deer, arrowheads and other wildlife.
As the sun headed for the horizon, Dad called for us to climb into the boat – we were off to catch the biggest fish in the lake. The darkness had just settled over us as we tied up to the dock. Our stomachs and creel were empty. Mom had made a scrumptious dinner. Each bite tasted better than the last.
Soon we finished everything on the table and adjourned to the ring of stones outside. Dad piled up the wood and soon we had a bonfire that lit the night with dancing shadows.
The day had been hot – the night turned cool. Soon the cold front moved over us, clouds covering the stars and a north wind sending shivers down our backs. The warmth from the fire allowed us to stay out past our bedtime.
Dad called it a night and pronounced that all boys needed to get to bed. Teeth brushing, face washing and prayers over, we hopped into bed and snuggled under the quilts. The wind howled as the cold front pushed through. The stronger the wind, the deeper we hunkered down into the quilts. The night got colder, but we stayed warm.
Today I still enjoy the warmth of a quilt wrapped around me on a cold night. It is at those times that I can remember other times in my life when a different cold front passed over me. Sometimes I think of the pain I felt as my best friend made fun of me. Other times I remember the pain I felt as classmates laughed at me. Sometimes I relive the hurt when my pet bird flew out the open window – never to be seen again.
Even as an adult I can still suffer as I recall those times in my life when I have been hurt, betrayed, disappointed or suffered. These cold fronts overtake and I look to bury myself in the warm quilt and let them pass.
The warm quilt I look for today is the Bible. When trials and troubles come on me, I look to the Bible. I open its pages and reread the love story found there – how God, my heavenly Father, loved me so much that He sent His Son to suffer my punishment. Just reading how much God loves me is like wrapping myself in a warm quilt against the cold front. I can wrap myself in His word and feel the warmth of His love – the warmth that is stronger than any of the cold fronts of pain, hurt, suffering or despair.
I thank God for the cold fronts that drive me into the warmth of His scripture.
Prayer – Thank you God for the Bible. Amen.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
The day had been filled with boundless opportunities. Mom and Dad had rented a cabin on a lake in northern Wisconsin. We had looked forward to the trip, for we would be spending time on a lake – fishing, swimming and hanging out with each other, Now that the day finally arrived, we didn’t know what we wanted to do first – jump in the lake, hike in the woods, or take the boat out fishing. So we did all three.
We started with a run to the beach – gathering speed as we bounded down the hill that led to the beach. When we hit the water, we raised our knees and continued running until we dropped into the cool, refreshing water. We splashed each other, swam until our fingers wrinkled. We sat and dried on the beach, building sand castles and deciding if there was enough sand to bury our baby brother – there wasn’t.
We wolfed down lunch and set out to explore the woods around the cabin. We walked the trail, the leaves arched over us forming a tunnel of shade. We smelled the damp forest smells and looked for deer, arrowheads and other wildlife.
As the sun headed for the horizon, Dad called for us to climb into the boat – we were off to catch the biggest fish in the lake. The darkness had just settled over us as we tied up to the dock. Our stomachs and creel were empty. Mom had made a scrumptious dinner. Each bite tasted better than the last.
Soon we finished everything on the table and adjourned to the ring of stones outside. Dad piled up the wood and soon we had a bonfire that lit the night with dancing shadows.
The day had been hot – the night turned cool. Soon the cold front moved over us, clouds covering the stars and a north wind sending shivers down our backs. The warmth from the fire allowed us to stay out past our bedtime.
Dad called it a night and pronounced that all boys needed to get to bed. Teeth brushing, face washing and prayers over, we hopped into bed and snuggled under the quilts. The wind howled as the cold front pushed through. The stronger the wind, the deeper we hunkered down into the quilts. The night got colder, but we stayed warm.
Today I still enjoy the warmth of a quilt wrapped around me on a cold night. It is at those times that I can remember other times in my life when a different cold front passed over me. Sometimes I think of the pain I felt as my best friend made fun of me. Other times I remember the pain I felt as classmates laughed at me. Sometimes I relive the hurt when my pet bird flew out the open window – never to be seen again.
Even as an adult I can still suffer as I recall those times in my life when I have been hurt, betrayed, disappointed or suffered. These cold fronts overtake and I look to bury myself in the warm quilt and let them pass.
The warm quilt I look for today is the Bible. When trials and troubles come on me, I look to the Bible. I open its pages and reread the love story found there – how God, my heavenly Father, loved me so much that He sent His Son to suffer my punishment. Just reading how much God loves me is like wrapping myself in a warm quilt against the cold front. I can wrap myself in His word and feel the warmth of His love – the warmth that is stronger than any of the cold fronts of pain, hurt, suffering or despair.
I thank God for the cold fronts that drive me into the warmth of His scripture.
Prayer – Thank you God for the Bible. Amen.