Tag: comfort

  • Finding Sanctuary in Your Life

    While reading through the gospel of Mark, I catch a glimpse of Jesus’ demanding daily schedule. Not only did Jesus feel it important to mentor His chosen disciples, but throngs of people followed Him from town to town. “At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many,” (Mark 1:32-34). The more miracles He performed, the more people flocked after Him making it difficult to have needed time alone with His heavenly Father.   DSD_0922 [Out West-2011]

    My schedule isn’t nearly as demanding as Jesus’ schedule. Today’s demands take on a somewhat different flavor. There are still meals to prepare, laundry to be cleaned, appointments to keep, and people to satisfy. Demanding either way.

    One thing we do have in common: the need to take the time to reconnect with our roots. To connect with the One who gives me breath and life just as we looked at last time in the book of Mark, chapter 1. Remember those words:

    “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”—Mark 1:35–37.

    I’ve found that the number #1 key to not losing my cool is to stay connected. Get connected. Stay connected. Otherwise, I’m sure to unravel and probably even before 10 a.m.

    •  What’s your solution/key to staying connected?
    •  When is the best time to steal away to a secluded place and lay your burdens down to the God of comfort and healing? Doesn’t have to be early in the morning. What works for you, my friend?

  • Thoughts after the Boston Marathon bombings

    How do we make sense of hate crimes such as the Boston bombings this week? Crimes that maim and even kill innocent people and alter lives forever?

    My finite mind will never reason it out. There is no justification for senseless, needless killings. Humans have free-will choices. Many choose to use their choices to do good. Unfortunately, there will always be those who choose evil.

    “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” — Jeremiah 17:9/NLT.

    And what about those who wake up this morning with no son, daughter, sister, or brother? What about the injured with missing limbs, brain or head trauma?

    How do we counsel them? What words could possibly ease their pain?     Comfort one another

    Amidst this horrific situation, God stands ready to comfort, to extend his caring, loving arms. To wrap those arms around bleeding limbs & hearts. God’s love is deep and strong — able to shelter the worst storms. He extends his hands and says, “Come to me, my bruised child. I will ease your pain.”

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God … but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God” — 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 9.

  • Comfort one another

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” —
    2 Corinthians 1:3–4.

    We need each other. God created us to work through and live out our faith in community. When one member is down and experiencing defeat, rejection, or depression, God provides a shoulder to lean on — sometimes through another person.

    The reality is that there will be suffering. But this verse also promises the Father of compassion will be there to comfort us. And when we feel that comfort ourselves, it comes naturally to share that same comfort with a friend who is down or discouraged. This type of compassion is even more authentic when you have experienced a similar trial.

    In my writer’s group, we all bring various talents and experiences to the table. Some authors have experienced great trauma in their past; others walk through troubled waters now.  In our groups, we have married and single members, others have children and grandchildren. Yet, we share a common bond as we wait on God, his perfect timing for publication, and just the right location to see each individual story in print.

    Comfort one another

    There is not a sorrow or a joy that goes unnoticed by God. He can use each up and down in our life to encourage another. He delights when we share our emotions and encourage each other to rely on him and not on our own methods or strength.

    Dear God, Thank you for guiding me and shielding me through past times of turmoil. I need to keep on trusting in the midst of today’s circumstances. Nothing is wasted because you can use every high and low for your glory. Every day weaves a new piece of the tapestry called Life. Thank you for giving me comfort. And thank you for also providing comfort in the form of another compassionate person just when I needed it. Amen.

  • Vicks VapoRub = comfort & healing

    Just opening the blue jar of Vicks VapoRub® brings back fond memories of my Mom. Whenever I was sick, she would gently rub the ointment on my throat and chest and carefully cover the area with a towel. Then I’d top the cloth with a tee shirt or pajamas – something to keep the healing vapors in place.

    As I rub the balm in today as an adult, I consider this downtime a waste of time. I should be going somewhere/doing something. Yet, due to a nasty cold, I’m resigned to coughing, blowing my nose and taking medications. I feel unproductive and count these days as lost. But are they really? I’ve been able to enjoy time at home watching movies with my husband who is also sick.

    Days spent horizontal can be rejuvenating. There’s nowhere to look but up! And maybe that’s why I’m down. I’ve been in such a panic to make the holidays special that I’ve failed at the most important item: always remembering the Christ that makes Christmas possible.

    The season should be all about Him (not decorated cookies, presents, or visitors). Since the noise has diminished, hecticness subsided, quiet reigns around me now. As I lay facing the ceiling, I realize what I missed. Chats (in the form of prayer) with my heavenly Father and time spent reading from my Bible.

    God is the one who grants me breath, health and life. I’m not promised tomorrow. But I do have this day on earth to rejoice and give Him the glory — even if it’s spent in bed or on the couch.

    Prayer: God, thank you that I am alive. I don’t feel well, but I can still find a reason to be thankful. Amen.

  • Blessed are the mourners

    “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

    These words are taken from the Sermon on the Mount (also known as the Beatitudes). Jesus is speaking to his disciples about troubles they will encounter when they seek to live out traits which contradict society.  Being a follower of Jesus was both popular and odd.

    In this life, too, there will be sadness and mourning. The above verse gives me permission to mourn. Mourning is expected and encouraged. Life doesn’t always go the way I want it to go. Spouses and children make bad choices affecting family deeply. Boating accidents, drowning, and random shootings saturate the daily news. It’s no surprise wives and children wake in the middle of the night in tears. Merely waking and dressing for the day can seem laborious.

    Good to know there is a remedy. I read in 2 Corinthians, chapter 1 “Praise be to the God…the Father of compassion and the God all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…,” Isn’t it refreshing to realize there is a God who understands, cares, and wants to kiss away our wounds?

    But, wait, there’s a two-fold reward. God comforts us in times of distress and pain “so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4). Even the comfort we receive from God does not stop with me, but multiplies itself as I, in turn, am able to give to another that same healing balm.

     I remember having lunch with a new friend just after my Mom died. Joyce’s mother died years before, yet her transparency and empathy for me calmed my soul. You see, she understood. When someone experiences death of a loved one, I am able to put myself in their place.

    If I could figure this sadness out all by myself, then God and his people wouldn’t be needed. That’s why the God of all comfort is readily available day or night. I just need to ask.

    “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Corinthians 1:9).

    ***