As so many of you are stuck inside, bundled up and maybe even having your millionth snow day in a row — I wanted to send you a little love and encouragement today from the desert. Because even though it doesn’t seem like we desert folk understand your pain, we do, and I will need you to send these same encouragements to me in about 6 months, around August. Deal?

By August we in Arizona are no where near temps getting below 100 degrees yet, and they’ve already been above 100 degrees for 4 months. The long days are truly so long when the climate is being a tyrant like it is in extreme hot or extreme cold and snow. I have also lived in Chicagoland and had many many days on end in February when I thought I’d never see the sun (or my freedom) again.

So friend, here’s a mug of something warm, and a few extra brain cells if the wild animals in your home have stolen them. You aren’t alone. You don’t have to be afraid of losing your mind while rattling around in that house, because the One who holds you is there speaking sanity into your ears. Our God is never far, but right inside you. Tap into that source and see if the peace starts to leak out into your heart (you might be surprised). God is an endless source of love and encouragement, even in our most harsh, uncomfortable moments.

You also don’t have to feel alone, because so many of your sisters are there with you in spirit, hiding from giant snow banks or hiding from icy roads or just hiding in the closet from the kids. All of you will be out of it soon (maybe even today) and life will feel less in the trenches.

Then you can start to store up that courage and that patience you are so great at normally, and even if you have to practice it a lot, you’ll get there. Store it up for the next time this happens. Learn. Remember what you learned. Write it down. Save it in your mind. You don’t want to forget what a survivor you are.

Because you are a warrior woman, in so many more ways than just enduring harsh winters or harsh summers. You have been through so much in your short (or less short) lifetime, and you’ve made it though. God brought you through, and you let Him. So let Him bring you through this time, too.

And I know that some areas have it worse than others, some parts of the world are much more worse off in general, in everything. I know this. I just also know how hard YOUR hard is. God isn’t any less there for you than someone else, desiring to reach inside and soothe what aches in your spirit. 

You are so loved, and I’m sending prayers of peace and calm and unexpected surprises your way. And even if the weather isn’t affecting your joy or peace at all — I hope this encouragement lands with you right where and when you need it, even still.

Be blessed. xoxo

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