{Almost} Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Would you believe it's finally here?
Yes, Autumn  has arrived and bought with it some rain and cold weather - hooray!
We actually even had a storm on Thursday (of course I had 3 loads of washing on the line didn't I?)

I've crocheted 2 big snuggly blankets so far, one for Miss 10 in hot pink and one for Hubby which suits our lounge perfectly, we've had the heater on today for the first time this year and, as I type, I have a pot of chicken soup cooking - yum!

I was curled up in bed the other night and remembered a message I did for a ladies group a few years ago and thought I'd about blog it (I don't think any of you were in my loungeroom that winters day in 2002 so you won't mind if I'm repeating myself!)

Seeing as winter is officially only a few days away it's probably time to make some preparations for the season.  Just as we don't experience glorious summer all year round, we don't always have fine weather in our lives and we need to be prepared for those darker days, those 'winters'.  Here are a few tips.

Store up for winter ~  In colder climates or remote places people use store cupboards for provisions, we also need to store up in prayer and on God's Word so we have provisions to draw on when lean times strike (Prov 20:4).
In the same sense, a three course meal eaten last week won't give our body sustenance this week.  We can't live off last year's three hour prayer meeting or last months revelations, we need to continually be building up our spirits - or stocking up the pantry!

Sometimes winter storms come suddenly so
Don't wait for the storms to hit before you clean out the gutters ~ (Psalm 51:10)
Just as leaves block the water flowing through the gutters, we need to clean out anything that's blocking the flow of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  If there is unconfessed sin, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness etc in our hearts, we need a clean out - now, so that there won't be problems when a 'winter' arrives.

Get dressed for winter ~ I'm pretty sure none of us walk out the door in the mornings naked, we do spend time preparing for the day - don't we.....?
We need to spend time getting dressed in the natural as well as getting our inner clothing on.  Colossians 3:14 says the most important piece of clothing is love.  Don't wear it like an overcoat that is the last thing to be put on and the first thing to be taken off - wear love close to your heart, like 'thermal underwear' to protect you from the bitter winds of 'winter' like persecutions, accusations and offences.  Remember love covers a multitude of sins.

Keep warm ~ (Heb12:29)
When 'winters' come - (and they do) don't sit out in the rain having a 'pity party' ~ you will inevitably be out there on your own if you do....!
Come inside, into the Father's presence, sit at His feet and stay warm.  Keep the Holy Spirit fire burning in your heart - Luke 24:32

One final thing to keep in mind, although we aren't even officially in our Winter yet - Spring always comes after Winter.  There are times of new growth ahead.