It is 22 degrees outside this morning. Here is a frosty devotional because wintertime has said, “Ready or not, here I come.”

Snowmen always smile. One would wonder why considering the fact that they have to stand out in the cold so long. I have known Christians to lose their smile because it was a little cool in church.

The birds are busy at the feeder. How do they keep warm? Jesus said that they do not worry because they know how to depend on their Heavenly Father. Many of us know that we too can depend on our Heavenly Father, but we must work harder on knowing how to. After all, Jesus reminded us that if God cares for the birds of the air, how much more he cares for you and me.

Winter offers us many lessons about Christian life and work. The snowman will smile because someone has put the smile on its face. We have opportunity to do the same for others. There are many who are suffering from the coldness of this world. We can, in the name of Jesus, give hope and love that will restore warmth to their soul. Paul once wrote to Timothy from a cold prison cell requesting that he bring him his coat, and that he would come before winter.

A simple visit and a coat was all he needed. What can we do to create a warm smile today?

“O God, you give the winter’s cold,
as well as summer’s joyous rays,
you warmly in your love enfold,
and keep us through life’s wintry days.”