sheltered
Hygge (hoo-gah) is a Danish word for contentment and comfort. It is that sense of feeling warm, safe and sheltered. I know that during our winter months, we have that need to be those three things when the cold winter storms invade our geographic locations. The bears and other hibernating animals totally understand how to be sheltered during those long, dark days.
The trees with naked branches give us a sense of bleakness, but their roots are deep and strong within the ground. The strands of dead grass under the canopy of snow creates a lack of exuberance and energy but we can change that color palette of our lives. Thinking thankfulness in all situations.
When I venture out into the snowy paths of the forest, I bundle up and layer my clothes, don my touque and put on my mittens. I also love the warmth of a hot cup of tea or an elixar to warm me when I come in from the cold. I feel safe and sheltered each night when I can curl on my couch with a great book and know that my flowered comforter will keep me warm all through the night when I retire to bed. But what about those who have lost their homes? What about the homeless who sleep on the streets at night? What about the ones who are living in makeshift shelters because of a natural disaster? What about those who have lost jobs? What about those who are ill and needing help?
Our lives are often not clothed with strands of satin nor rose petals along our paths, but rather hard blows and setbacks to bloody scars in this battle called life. Our crown of glory will be from our Master at the end of our race.
As we lead up to advent, Christmas season and shorter days, I pray that we can consider those who don’t feel warm, safe or sheltered and think of ways we can make someone feel any one of those things.
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25