THE WARMTH OF HOME

December 18, 2025

Jason Bonnicksen

THE WARMTH OF HOME

365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 18

I didn’t snoop at the forecast this morning before leaving home. That was a mistake — a BIG MISTAKE. Good golly miss Molly, the winds are a blow’n today. The gusty gales combined with falling temps and just enough snow is making SW Minnesota into a real-world snow globe. UFFDAH!, as us Norske’s like to say!

As I dashed to my car from the comforts of the church, I quickly wondered: How did the native populations survive in conditions like this? I mean, truly, how in all creation did they not freeze to death? Obviously, the Great Plains people were more robust and resourceful than me, probably than most of us today.

As I zoomed into the garage (and thank goodness for automatic garage doors), I whisked my shivering body into the warmth of our home. Ahh, I thought, there’s nothing like the comforts of home-sweet-home.

They say home is where the heart is. Yah, that’s true. But where my heart wanted to be was NOT outside in that frigid cold.

Now, I can’t speak for you; I can only speak for myself. I think too often I’ve taken for granted the blessings of the structures we call our homes. The parsonage I call home is owned by the church, and it’s a lovely home. After coming within an inch of being homeless five years ago, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank the good Lord for the roof over our heads.

The parsonage has everything we need: four walls, a roof, good windows, solid doors, a good furnace with plenty of fuel oil, and so much more (even a “home” for our cars). Truly, my wife and I are blessed. But not everybody is so fortunate. Sadly, tonight many will have to brave the elements and hope they survive.

Did you know that this year alone (2025), an estimated 770,000 people were homeless on any given day or night. Some find respite in shelters, but woefully, many do not. I recently read a story posted by a friend about a homeless man in Toledo who froze to death. Life can be cruel, especially for those who’ve fallen on hard times – sometimes by no fault of their own.

As I gaze out my window onto the real-world snow globe outside, I'm thankful for the comfort of a warm home. Jesus reminds us that when we pray, to ask (and be thankful) for our daily bread. That bread is more than the food we eat and even He and his Word. Our daily bread includes things like the blessing of a safe and toasty home.

"Heavenly Father, thank you for the shelters and homes you provide. Be with those who are homeless; keep all of them warm and safe tonight, providing according to your Word":

“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, like heat in a dry place.”

Isaiah 25:4–5, ESV

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