I live in Phoenix, AZ. It's HOT here in the summer. The highs this week have been above 110. I vividly remember that July 4, 2007 it was 117! The overnight low has been around 90. While I'm thankful the low is 30+ degrees cooler than in the heat of the day, it's not comfortable.
I ran a couple of errands this morning. I loaded my two toddlers into and out of the car, across parking lots and into multiple stores. According to my vehicle, it was 102 at 8:30am. One of our stops was to drop 4 cases of water off at a local store, which collects items for Phoenix Rescue Mission. I got home and had to take a quick shower before guests arrrived because I needed to cool down.
I got in the shower and started thinking about how hot it's been, how my friends keep mentioning the heat on facebook, and how annoyed I was that in the rush of getting ready for friends to come over this morning I had to stop what I was doing to take a shower I hadn't planned on. I thought about the bottles of water I had just dropped off and realized the people who would be drinking that water would be THRILLED to be in an air conditioned house (like I was), taking a cool shower (like I was), and have a table full of fresh fruits, muffins, and cookies waiting for them (like I had).
God changed my perspective in that moment. It's hot outside. It's miserable. While it's hot and miserable outside, I get to hide in my air conditioned house. When I'm not in my house, I'm in an air conditioned car or an air conditioned building. I thought about the thousands of homeless people in Phoenix who have no relief from the heat. Each year homeless people die in Arizona from heat related illnesses. I thought about how I was inwardly complaining about an inconvenience when people in my city are dying. I realized how good I have it and that I have nothing to complain about when the mercury rises.
Here's my challenge to you (and me):
1) Turn your a/c up a couple of degrees this weekend and instead of giving money to your utility company donate it to Phoenix Rescue Mission or a group in your community that serves the homeless.
2) Buy a case of water to donate. For information about a drop off center in your area check out Phoenix Rescue Mission's Water Page. Maricopa County has several hydration station/heat refuges and you can donate water here
3) Next time you're tempted to complain (even inwardly) about how uncomfortable you are stop and think about how much you have to be thankful for. "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure . . ." Philippians 2:14, 15a
Great perspective, Heidi!
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