19 Jun Summer Heat? Don’t sweat it; use it!

“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
William Morris

“I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41)

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Day 5 of “Summer in Snowmass” and I’m already fearing my return to the great, hot-and-hotter-state of Texas in 2 1/2 weeks.  It is true, everything IS bigger in Texas… even the heat.  BIG heat.  Seriously, does Texas really have to be such an overachiever of a state?  Oh, and I just got a little report from my friend, Candy, (who I think might have been trying to ruin my vacation) telling me that “they” have predicted average summer temps in Texas to exceed 100 degrees… for the next 70 years!!  OK, who are “they” that make these predictions?  “They” always have a lot to say about life and stuff.  What do “they” do all day?  And for crying out loud, do “they” have to talk about how hot it is WHILE WE’RE HOT?

Thank you, all you darling doppler-radar heads who insist on sending me updates from the homeland.  Bless your little hearts I get a hot flash every single time one of you posts the temperature high for the day!  Satisfied?  I will be home soon enough, but right now I’m going to enjoy the natural cool while I’m in it!  But first, I must give an ice-cold-eucalyptus-drenched-towel shout out to my Orlando, Florida homies!  They are sweltering in 100+++ temps, too!   Politics aside, big Al Gore might be on to somethin’.  Ya think?

Anyone else out there openly praising God for air-conditioning today?  Count your blessings if you are sitting pretty in an air-conditioned home; you are privileged, indeed!  Let’s not take it for granted and let’s not forget those who are braving the heat on our behalf… in the middle eastern deserts and out in the middle of the Gulf cleaning up the oil mess; or those less fortunate who are struggling without the comforts most of us enjoy.  Lord, be a shelter from the heat for them today!

You are probably wondering what all this has to do with the William Morris quote and the two Scripture verses at the top of the page.  I’m big on making the most of our “now”- whatever your particular “now” may be (thus the blog title).  Considering that God wastes nothing– even the scorching summer heat, I’ve been thinking what one might do to make this hot summer count and have some greater or more profound purpose than elevating our electric bills.  So here’s a little “Making the Most of Now” moment… from the Rockies.

MAKING THE MOST OF NOW!
1. IN YOUR HOME:  Practice the above “rule” as Morris so beautifully puts it.  It will set you free from the bondage of too much stuff!  Why not make the most of the summer heat; spend some time indoors doing a little “simplifying” of your life.  Less really is more!  Bless someone else with what you have “too much” of!

2. HELPING THE HOMELESS:  Take Jesus at His word!  Rather than drive by or hand them money, why not assemble large zip-lock bags with meal gift cards or vouchers for fast-food restaurants, a clean wash cloth or “towelettes”, insect repellant wipes, protein bars, etc.  Keep them in your car along with ice-cold bottles of water to hand to the folks who are living on the street.

I’d love to hear your ideas for making the most of the summer heat!  Remember that you are blessed to be a blessing!!

Love you!

xo – Punky