Going Green with the Seasons

When I lived at my parents’ home in Virginia, during the fall and winter months, our woodstove kept part of the house warm. It was always so cozy during those winter months in our living room when I could wear shorts and t-shirts, although it was barely hovering above freezing outside. But in almost any other room in our home, the temperature was barely breaking 60 degrees because my mother did not keep the heat on with the stove blazing. Going from one room to another in our home was like leaping into a whole new climate with just a few steps. I still remember my father’s voice as he proclaimed advice from the comfort of the recliner near the fireplace. "If you’re cold, then go put on a real pair of pants instead of shorts. It’s winter; you can’t dress like it’s summer." He was right, though it took some to realize that.

In recent weeks as the cool air has arrived and the leaves are turning, I have turned my thermostat off completely. No A/C. No heat. I work the magic of windows for a cool breeze, a ceiling fan if it becomes stuffy, or grab an extra blanket if it gets cool at night. Surely my electric bill will drop with the thermostat off, but there is a freedom to living with God’s creation. Living with the seasons compels me to think about those living in our midst who don’t have an extra blanket to grab when the air turns cold.

Check your thermostat. You could knock it down a few degrees; throw on an extra layer, and save electricity while being an intentional steward of God’s creation! Just a small adjustment in your life can help you go green.