I was dreading the day. I knew it was going to be freeeeeezing cold. Keeping our big, old, drafty house warm on a 30° day is hard enough. But on a day that is below zero? I knew I was in for it. Great attitude, huh?
I started my day with a hot cup of coffee, my Bible, and a blanket. Perfection. And warmth.
Matt built a fire first thing this morning and kept it rip-roaring all day. Toasty and comforting all in one.
We had hot meals. I baked bread. I cooked chickens and made broth. Cooking is a great way to keep warm! I had a good 25 minute work-out. I was beyond warm after that. Amazing.
Then, I got a wonderful bonus to my day. I got to go over to a friend’s house and snuggle her newborn for several hours. Not one time did I think about being cold. How could I? Her house was inviting and cozy…and I was snuggling a newborn. MmmmMmmMmmm!
God is just so cool. Warm. Well, you know what I mean. During our family prayer time last night, we thanked God for our home, knowing that even if we were chilly, we at least had a roof over our heads. Blankets. A fireplace. Hot water. An oven for baking food. And we asked Him to help us remember how blessed we are. As I’m writing this, I’m recalling that prayer. We asked, but somehow I didn’t see how I would stay warm, so I braced myself to be miserable. Even with my pouty attitude, God still gave me warmth today in ways I wasn’t expecting it. I love that He teaches us lessons so constantly.
Hooray for warm jammies, wool socks, slippers, and a God who answers when I’ve forgotten I’ve even asked.
Now your turn. Share what you’re thankful for! Leave a comment on this post letting us know how God is working in your life. If you’ve written a blog post about what you’re thankful for, leave the link in the comments so we can visit your blog to read about it. We love sharing and reading about God’s blessings!
Tara H says
Amen and Amen! :)
I’m thankful for God’s help and grace. He’s been helping me with something specific that I know I couldn’t do on my own!
Kathie says
My word and verse for 2014: http://thecharactercorner.com/?p=8011
Amy says
I am thankful for a wonderful husband. See my series on him:)
http://plainandnotsoplain.com/being-married-mr-visionary-part-1/
Midsouthmoma says
I am thankful for the amazing love and kindness shown in Memphis,TN during these record breaking cold times. You can read about the love shown in our city here: http://www.midsouthmoma.com/2014/01/living-in-south-is-just-awesome.html#.UsucSvubC5I
Megan says
I too am thankful for the heat. It’s -22 with the wind chill! But I have heaters and a coat and all will be well. :)
Sandra @ Sandra's Ark says
We don’t get so cold here in Northern Ireland, we get rain and I enjoy hot mugs of coffee.
I am thankful that God loves me and that He makes us clean and pure through Jesus.
http://www.sandrasark.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-coffee-mug-dose-of-encouragement-1.html
Jill Roper says
My gratituesday is about blizzards and babies! Happy Gratituesday everyone!
http://gratituesday.blogspot.com/
Tiffani says
Ha! I made my chicken broth last night too because it was 1 here….1! I’ve NEVER been in that cold of weather!
Thanks for reminding us to be thankful. Such a great perspective!!
Ruth A. Stiles says
we too have the woodstove cranking out the heat! Since the boys are home from school today I think I will have them make chocolate chip cookies to warm up the kitchen even more. I am thankful for their little helping hands that cause such cute messes in the kitchen!
Ruth A. Stiles says
I forgot to attach my link. http://thestilesfamily.net/2014/01/07/gratituesday-electricity/
Marty B says
I started off yesterday with a pretty bad attitude about the cold myself. Not because I thought I would be cold but because school for my son was canceled and he was supposed to have his birthday celebration both there and at a play place in the afternoon. Which meant I had to reschedule his party and contact all his friends. On top of that my husband has had the flu so he was working from home to keep from infecting his co-workers. So stuck at home with a crazy 5 year old and a husband who is trying to work. I had to admit by the end of the day that I was very blessed to be in a warm house safe and sound.
Nicki says
Great post! I so love to be encouraged by hearing what God is doing in others lives! I am so thankful for the life lessons The Lord taught this crazy girl this past year. And that he healed me from cancer. You can read about it, if you’d like in “life Lessons From A Crazy Messed Up Girl” http://www.nickischroeder.com/2014/01/life-lessons-from-crazy-messed-up-girl.html ;)
Kentuckylady717 says
This is a great post Nicki….and I signed up for your blog……looking forward to it…..
Stacy says
I’m grateful even tho it is just as cold here in Missouri because we are so blessed and are cabinets & freezers are full of good food. I’m thankful for cancellations that extend my holiday vacation in some small ways so that we can enjoy a relaxed week getting back into our routine of homeschooling instead of the hurry scurry of ball games I expected.
Katie says
I am grateful that I had the ability to trudge through snow drifts in -34 wind chill to take care of my chickens and so very grateful to come back into a warm home.
Stephanie says
I am thankful for my husband’s new job. The old one would have required him to trudge out in this -13 degree weather or have to take the day unpaid. Instead, he can be home safe with us, working from the home computer on a job that he absolutely loves! And the timing is perfect as we get “back to work” homeschooling as well. And once the weather warms up tomorrow, I’m thankful that we can take recess and go sledding!
Charlotte Moore says
Grateful that GOD knows all things and nothing takes HIM by surprise.
Karen S. says
I’m thankful that our gas company was able to make a delivery for us yesterday; if they hadn’t, we would have had no heat. Our water froze from the well to the house. I’m thanking God now, because I know it will thaw.
Barb says
We’ve been thanking Him for our warm house and praying for those who do not have a home. Yay for the newborn baby! My favorite thing on these cold days is wearing my comfy clothes, with my warm fuzzy socks, drinking hot coffee, and cuddling up with His Word. Blessings!
http://www.theforeverneighbor.com/2014/01/loving-retirement.html
Ruth A. Stiles says
Cuddling up with His Word is a GREAT SAYING! I love it
Gertrude says
I am grateful to the Lord for my family and the mighty things He did for us last year and the miracles and he going to work this year !
http://www.achosenremnant.com/2014/01/when-were-are-hurtin-church.html
Kentuckylady717 says
A great article written Laura…you have lots to be thankful for and it shows that you are….
I have lots too….one being I was out of Milk & Eggs and said I am not going out in this cold to get any…I will just do without and eat what I have :)this morning my daughter called and said Mom, open your garage door in 2 mins…..and there she was with a gal. of milk and doz. of eggs :)she was on her way somewhere and did this for me :) what a great daughter I have eh ?
My son would have done the same thing, but he is in Afghanistan in some very cold weather too…..and of course unable to do this for me…..so you see I have lots to be thankful for also and I am and I thank God everyday for my kids and giving me what I have…..so lets try to stay warm at least for today, because Wed. it’s starting to warm up….in the upper 20’s but I will take it with a smile :)
Have a great day……
Kentuckylady717 says
Everyone please click on Nicki’s link and read her blog…..it is great……you can learn a lot from her…..
Ginny says
My Little Hostess
http://ginnyrecipes.blogspot.com/2014/01/gratituesday-my-little-hostess.html
Come see how my 3-year-old played hostess with her dolls, all on her own. :)
Lisa says
It’s been well below freezing here as well, which makes farm chores take longer. But, God is so good and provided a great fireplace inside the house that is real motivation to move quickly when out! And we haven’t had frozen pipes or falls on ice, or anything like that happen. That’s a huge blessing!
I’m thankful for 2014. A new year to grow more in God’s word and learn more about Him. Our family decided to pick focus verses for the year, to help us grow. I blogged about mine here:
http://maggiesmilk.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-focus-verse-for-2014.html
Also thankful for my children’s health. I realized just the other day that we didn’t have a single hospital trip with Owen in 2013. After three week long ones in 2012, it was a much needed break!
Kind of an unfocused comment–but so much to be thankful for!
Ann @ Christ in the Clouds says
We also have had to work at trying to stay warm, coming from Indiana. As far as listing what I’m thankful for, I am thankful for a year of learning to become steadfast in the Lord….check it out at my blog post:
http://christintheclouds.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-steadfast-year.html
Blessings, Ann
Crystal says
Aside from a roof over our heads, working heat, and beds to snuggle in?? I am so blessed, and thankful for a wonderful, loving husband; beautiful, healthy children; my husband’s job that has been steady of late; kind and caring family and friends; warm, encouraging blogs to read….. The list goes on and on. Blessings to all!!
T.Ruth says
It been soo cold up here in central Wi. -30 with wind chill of
-54! This has been going on for more then a week.
Is winter over yet…
Alecia says
I’m thankful for time spent with family. Also thankful for the ability to share with others our marriage struggles so that we can encourage other couples in their walk…http://marriagelifeministries.org/?p=1879
Brooke says
Oh my… I cannot even imagine. After reading Laura’s post and several comments, I can’t complain of cold. I’m a SoCal whimp!
I’m thankful I’m blessed to live in an area with plenty of nice days, like today and recently. I am grateful for 70 degree weather in the winter here.
Gail Golden says
Can’t complain much about cold, since I live in Florida. But it is a bit chilly for my taste for the last two days.(highs in the 60’s, lows in the 30-40’s) But, it’s a chance to wear my cute hats and scarves and my heavy jacket.
I’m thankful that G-d has given me wisdom to recognize what a “good” man is. I hope you’ll stop by Gail-Friends for a visit and learn how that happened.
Shalom,
Gail