A Be-Attitude Adjustment

Hot off the press... I'm actually sharing my column from the same day it appeared in our church bulletin. (Hint: this means it was a very low-key, boring day prepping for scrap camp!)

Be-Attitude Adjustment 

You know who’s crabby these days? Oh, anyone who’s had to shovel their driveway, dig out their car, drive on slippery roads, put up with “bored” kids home on a snow day. Basically, everyone who lives in Wisconsin could use an attitude adjustment (author included).

Thank goodness we have the beatitudes to remind us that even when things are bleak, there is hope. The poor will find riches, the hungry will be satiated, the brokenhearted will find reason to smile – even laugh.

The blessings and woes we read about in Luke today are sort of like the groundhog. In the frigid depths of winter, Punxsutawney Phil emerges and tells us we’ll have an early spring. (Full disclosure: He’s a rodent. He does not hold a meteorological degree!) Still, we realize that even though we’re suffering now, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. And we hope it’s bright enough to melt the snow.

This past week, my beatitudes went something like this:

• Blessed are the snowplow drivers, for they shall clear the path.
• Blessed are neighbors who help shovel, for they shall save my back.
• Blessed are emergency workers, for they shall be our life line.
• Blessed are the telecommuters, for we were safe and just fine. 
• Blessed are all who made it to their jobs, for they shall be paid well to serve.
• Blessed are the parents stuck at home, for they shall find their last nerve.
• Blessed are the children, for they shall play outside without a care.
• Blessed is our church family, for they shall be remembered in prayer.
• Blessed are the forecasters, for they shall change their tune.
• Blessed are friends in warm places, for they shall get a visitor soon!

I hope this has helped you adjust your attitude about winter! Even with snow, we can feel blessed with the warmth of family, friends, and good furnace. Stay safe!