With the holidays almost over and the worst of Winter on its way, I hope my new story brings a little warmth to your day. God bless you always.

I had never been a big fan of January. By the time it rolled around the holidays were over. The Christmas decorations had been taken down. All the left-overs and extra cookies had been eaten. And all we had left was a month of short days, long nights, heavy snows, and cold bitter enough to bite into your bones. It was no longer Christmas. It was just Winter.

My view of it changed, however, a few years ago. We’d had an especially heavy snow followed by a bitingly cold morning. Still I needed to shovel out our paths and clean off my cars so we could get out once the snow plows had run. As I was outside, making my way to my car, one shovelful at a time, I noticed some of my neighbors doing the same thing. We waved and chatted while we worked and even shared a smile when the sun finally broke through the clouds.

One of my neighbors tried to start her truck only to find out her battery was dead. The rest of us jumped in to help. Soon a spot was shoveled out next to her truck and my tiny car was maneuvered in so we could give her a jump start. Her engine soon roared back to life and she happily thanked us all. We all stood a bit talking while our breath smoked from our mouths. Then suddenly I heard the sound of kids laughing and making the most of the snowy day by sledding down the hill behind us. We all laughed as well when we watched them. I smiled and thought to myself, “Maybe even Winter has its own unique joys. And maybe the biggest joys in life are the ones we make with each other.”

In the darkness of Winter always be ready to shine your light. Always be ready to share your love. Always be ready to spread your joy. Henry Van Dyke wrote: “Is not love the light of the soul?” May your soul always shine bright then. May all your days be full of joy. And may you always remember that this life is God’s gift to you, but how you live it is your gift to God.