We are definitely deep in the throes of winter.  Even here in East Tennessee, supposedly part of the sunny south, it has been cold for the past few days and is supposed to be even colder over the next few days.  This may not seem like a big deal to folks in other parts of the country; after all, in the north and midwest, cold weather seems to be almost part of the cultural identity.  But for those of us in the south, WARM weather is part of the cultural identity, and so to have such cold air in place pushes us well outside of our comfort zone! 

The weather isn't the only thing that makes the world seem cold right now.  The economy continues to sputter along.  The wars in the middle east not only continue but seem to be accelerating.  There is poverty and sickness and lonliness everywhere you turn-- even in those parts of the world who are having their warm summer season right now, cold and darkness seems to prevail.  People are hurting and are fearful for the future; many have lost jobs and homes to the recession, many have lost family members and friends to illness.  Some remain in nursing homes or in their own homes, forgotten and alone.  Many folks are simply hopeless.

For those who believe, however, there is always hope. For those who believe and practice their faith in churches and fellowship groups there is always friendship to be had; there is always support in times of trouble. We who gather in the name of the Lord find that there is something out there bigger than ourselves that we can be a part of even when everything else in our lives is going down the tubes.  We who gather in the name of the Lord know that being a part of the body of Christ means we will be accepted and loved no matter what difficulty we're facing.  We who gather in the name of the Lord know that together we're stronger than any of us are separately.  We know that, even in the coldest of times, the warmth of belonging is there to sustain us, enrich us, and bring us through whatever difficulties the world puts in our path. 

If you are facing a lay off or a foreclosure and need someone to talk to, please contact me through this blog.   If you're lonely and can't get out of your home, please contact me through this blog.  Sometimes just making human contact and sharing our troubles is enough to take our fears away-- or at least make them seem smaller.  I'd love to hear from you on this cold cold day! 

P