Last night was brutal. Just as I was getting ready to retire for the night, my wife informed me that we had no hot water. Then I noticed there was no heat either. I checked all breakers and there were not any that had tripped. So, it was supposed to get down to 28 last night and we had no heat or hot water. We, (I) decided to just bundle up and tough it out for the night. I laughingly told my wife if we could survive the cold in the Arctic Circle like we did last year, we could survive the cold in Mississippi.
That appears to have been a stupid decision. We should have gone to a hotel or taken my neighbor’s offer of spending the night either at their home or in his nice warm RV. I don’t know why I am so reluctant to accept help. I guess I feel that I’m imposing somehow. My neighbor said in his last text to me last night, “Please let me help you!” I replied that we would be fine and if I could not get the problem resolved today, we will take him up on his offer.
I am typing this rather slowly because my hand is so cold that I must warm it periodically by blowing on it. I tried wearing gloves and that was a stupid idea as well. Ever try to type with gloves on? Duh . . . I have some deer stand heaters in the barn, but I was afraid that the propane heaters would asphyxiate us. That was then and this is now and as soon as I finish writing this, I’m going up there and get a couple of them and fire them up and if I die, I die, at least I will be warm.
Ah, when it rains it pours. I’m in the midst of having my house painted and those poor guys have to work outside in this brutal cold every day. They cannot start painting until 10 am or so to allow it to warm up enough to paint. Ironically since this cold snap has started my wife and I have been praying multiple times a day for the homeless who have no shelter, or food, or hot water. I think today I will include all people who must work in the freezing cold too.
I remember when I was homeless, and I snuck inside a church to escape the cold and grab a couple hours or so of sleep on a pew before I hit the street again. I also frequented missions and homeless shelters (if they were not full), slept in bus stations, and even on someone’s stoop if it was unlocked. It was miserable.
Some folks say that we should take comfort in knowing that others have it worse. It is impossible to comfort me with that thought because I know first-hand what they are going through and feel genuine compassion for them, but the enormity of the problem is too large for me. It requires God. One way or another my problem will get resolved today and I’ll enjoy a hot shower and a warm bed, but there is no imminent relief for those who live on the street with nowhere to go. I intend to double down on praying for them.
I think God in part allows this type of ordeal in our lives to make us understand how fortunate we are compared to others and not just here in this country, but worldwide. I know He wants us to pray for those who suffer, and if possible, to help them any way we can, even if it is just one person. My heart goes out to them.
Father, I pray that You will find a place for those that live their lives suffering from hunger, cold, lack of shelter, medical care, and other basic needs. I also pray, Lord, that despite personal trials and aggravations that You always give me a heart for those who have less, so that I always feel a need to do Your work here. I pray that I can touch lives that need me. In Your name, Amen
I hope you will take a moment and pray that prayer or your version of it right now. Don’t you wish the Lord would just take us to His home where we can live forever in peace and comfort? Good news – He is coming soon!
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!