And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,

after you have suffered a little while,

will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

After the unexpected bad weather we experienced a couple of years ago in South Texas, people took the anticipated freeze warning seriously. The forecasted eighteen degrees definitely fell below any normal winter temperature in the South.

People scurried to cover their pipes, prepare their sprinkler systems, bring pot plants inside, and do all the other necessities. We did the same thing as well.

In the midst of all this business, the sight of six roses still vibrant on our bushes caught my eye. I decided to save them from the freeze and brought them inside to make a lovely bouquet. It may have been drabby outside, but inside the roses brought beauty. I got a warm feeling every time I walked by them.

Have you ever felt like you received a freeze warning in your spiritual life? Something just seems off kilter. You feel used up, worn out, or done in with nothing left to give. You may want to give up or you may want to get involved in all sorts of business to drown out the feeling.

And then, just like those roses, a song catches your ear, an act of kindness melts your heat, a Bible passage from God’s Word just speaks to your innermost soul. Circumstances may not have changed around you, but inside you feel God’s warmth and vibrance. Every time you recall the thing which touched you that warm feeling of strength and power returns.

Isn’t it just like God to provide even when our need is spiritual or emotional and not just physical? He promises us he will and he certainly honors his promises.

 God, you are so good. You restore us. You want us to find you in every situation. You want to make us “strong, firm, and steadfast.” We want that for ourselves as well. We want our “spiritual freezes” to lead us straight to your warmth. Thank you for guiding us there.

Susan Partida