Open Windows

The windows were opened.
After weeks of the windows closed and the air conditioner on, it was a welcome change.
We had a few days of low 80-degree temperatures and no humidity.
Humidity and I are not friends.

Everything feels sticky in high humidity.
Glasses with ice-cold water actually seem to perspire as they sit on the counter.
The wood banister feels tacky to the touch.
Even the fixtures in the bathroom seem to perspire since our well water is co cold.

People with curly hair have their own reasons for their dislike of humidity.
Their hair seems less manageable with more frizz and no control.
I just can’t seem to get comfortable in humid weather.
It is one of the reasons that summer is my least favorite season.

I feel as if I betray mothers everywhere when I make that statement.
But it is true.
I loved having my children home in the summer but the weather was never my favorite.
Give me spring or fall and even winter, minus the ice of course, and I am content.

It is lovely to have my windows opened.
The fresh air permeates every corner.
The ceiling fans are on; the air is circulating.
It is just a lovely day.

I like these “open your windows” kind of days.
I like that the stale air goes out and the fresh air comes in.
I like to see the curtains move gently in the breeze.
I like to hear the sounds of outside on the inside of my house.

No humidity and cooler temperatures give me a burst of energy.
It is that, “I can conquer the world” kind of feeling.
Or at least, I can conquer all the projects that I have been putting off.
There is something about open windows that gives me a change in perspective.

I can actually hear the sound of the hummingbirds’ wings as they come to my feeder.
I can hear every cricket as they hide in the grass.
I can hear birds call back and forth to each other.
I can hear the lawn mowers in the distance.

Open windows are welcoming.
Open windows are refreshing.
Open windows bring the outside in.
Open windows let the stale air out.

Open window kind of days are a gift.
I wish all days could be as lovely.
But if they were all like this, then this kind of day would not be special.
This kind of day needs to be special so that we never take it for granted.

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
(Acts 20:7-12)

Three stories up, there would not have been much ventilation.
The oil lamps would have given off fumes.
The young man, probably between 7  and 14 years old, was tired at this late hour.
He dozed off as Paul’s voice got further and further away.

Open windows will do that.
Open windows with large sills are the perfect place to sit.
They are not the perfect place to fall asleep.
He was just a boy and Paul had a tendency to talk for a long time.

The air was stale.
The hour was late.
The boy was young.
It was an accident waiting to happen.

The boy died.
The boy’s life was restored.
After something so frightening, it would make sense if everyone went home.
However, they went back upstairs, broke bread and listened to Paul until morning.

Open windows will do that.
Fresh air outside.
The wind of the Spirit inside.
A perfect combination.

Open the windows of your soul so that a fresh breeze of the Spirit can blow through.
Let the stale air of the world out.
Let the gentle wind of the Spirit in.
Be refreshed.

You will begin to see things you missed before.
You will begin to hear things you never heard before.
You will have a burst of energy to do the Kingdom work God has called you to do.
You will get a new perspective.

You know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
You know that apart from Him, you can do nothing.
You will be refreshed in Christ.
You will be made new.

Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it is coming from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3: 5-8)

Go ahead.
Open your windows.
Let the wind of the Spirit blow through.
Do you feel the breeze?

2 responses to “Open Windows”

1. Beautiful, Gina! I love how you give word pictures in your blogs. Yes, we need to keep the windows of our heart open so the fresh air of the Spirit can flow in!

   Reply

   • Word pictures help me as well, Sue.
     I am glad they help you, too.
     Gina

     Reply