Prepared for C-C-C-C-C-Cold!

Thursday, September 19, 2013 Posted by Debbie Legg

I grew up in the near Chicago suburbs with my very own view of the Sears Tower. I walked the six blocks to St Luke’s School--no, not uphill both ways, but yes, trudging through mountains of snow. In high school I walked just as far to the CTA bus stop and waited…and waited. I know a thing or two about cold.

I can’t recall looking like the little brother in A Christmas Story, but I think I probably did. From boots to stocking caps, snow blowers to shovels, when it came to Chicago winters, We. Were. Prepared.

That’s my approach to all things cold, be it weather or life.

How do I deal with cold? Here are a few tips:

Dress in layers: These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.(Deuteronomy 6:6-8)

Travel in Groups: If two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:11-12)

Have Plenty of Fuel: Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. (Matthew 25:2-4)

Stock the Basics: He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. (Luke 22:36)

Before All Else Fails, Call For Help!: “Even when you are old, I will take care of you, even when you have gray hair, I will carry you. I made you and I will support you; I will carry you and rescue you." (Isaiah 46:4 NET)