The Coveted Cold

      I'm sitting at my kitchen table just having eaten Lucky Charms out of a coffee mug, now drinking my Organic Sunrise Blend coffee, made with a french press and with a little Italian Sweet Creme. It's overcast and raining outside. I just read a chapter from David Crowder's Praise Habit  and had to get up to put my new jacket on because all the windows are open and my long-sleeve is not sufficing. Mike used to say in first year that when winter comes around, we will leave all the windows open and just get bundled up in beanies, blankets and sweatshirts. The cold is a coveted substance in Phoenix but here in Redding, that does not last long. Sun become coveted during 18 days of rain in winter.
      I'm wearing flip flops because yesterday's mid 90's made my feet sweat. Now my feet are cold. I can smell the rain outside which has stopped falling from the clouds and is now dripping heavily off the trees. Though it won't be long before the clouds say, "My turn!" again.
      I look up, out the window, past the four staggered trees, to where the roof of the two bedroom apartments meet the gray sky and I hear God say, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands." I found it in Isaiah yesterday and something inside me jumped. Simply translated it's, "I just love you so much!"  At least that's how I take it.
      Jenna used to tell me before we got engaged that a diamond ring is temporary but a tattoo that says, "JENNA" is forever. "And preferably on your butt."  Probably because she knew that not only would the ink be of more permanence but she would always be reminded of the sacrifice of pain that I endured for her and that she was worth it.
      I've been engraved on the palms of His hands. A reminder born out of great sacrifice. "See," He says, "You can't erase these. They are forever. I am wholly and eternally devoted to you." 
      "Look," He says. He is not ashamed of them. He does not hide them. He shows them off.
      "See? You were so worth it."