By Judith Hargett

Greetings dear people. It has been a while since I’ve visited with you. After sending out dozens and then some more dozens of various forms of greeting cards in December, I had flatly used up my allotment of words for the year. My mental ink had run dry.

Today is January 6 and I have yet to break a New Year’s resolution. Admittedly, like the majority of the populace, I did not make any resolutions. I gave up resolution making many years back. If a resolution is not inspired by the Holy Spirit, or the IRS, it’s probably not likely to be kept. Since there’s no way to keep a secret from the Holy Spirit, or the IRS, I bear in mind this admonition given us in James 5:12: “Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your ‘yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no, or you will be condemned.”

I sure don’t want to make any promises I can’t keep. But if I were going to make a bold proclamation regarding this New Year, it might be something like: “I will not let dirty windows steal my joy.”

I am a great admirer of clean windows. Country living doesn’t seem to be overly compatible with this condition. Or, perhaps I’m just not a good window washer. Even when I think I’ve cleaned these glass aggravants, the sun soon proves me wrong. Still, the scene out our windows right now is very pleasant despite the inadequacy of my cleaning. Oh, and it would probably help if I’d clean my glasses while I’m at it. There are enough fingerprints on them to keep the FBI busy for a week. But back to our current outdoor scene. There is a thin white blanket of snow covering the ground with occasional sparkling flurries blowing around as if we’re in a snow globe. In fact when my inner ear gets out of whack I very much feel like I’m getting a good shake once in a while. The cardinals are adding a bright touch of red to the picture. Husband made sure the birds had plenty to eat in these frigid temperatures.

It is a great source of comfort knowing God looks at Believers through the eyes of His Son. Our many imperfections are covered like this pure white blanket of snow when we confess our sins and ask forgiveness. Read what The Lord tells the people of Judah in Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;…”

Wow. How wonderful the same thing applies to us today when we believe in Jesus! When the light shines on our lives, we should be reflecting Christ, not the worldly dirt that covers the windows of the unbeliever’s soul.

Well. It’s been nice visiting with you. Time to cook lunch. Husband requests healthy food for the next few weeks. His stomach rejoices at the idea. Mine panics and starts hoarding sugar. Fortunately, I have a supply of peanut patties made by my mother that will help ease me through this healthy-cooking time period. Oh, and by the way, you don’t need to share that last bit of information with my husband.