Comfort

Comfort

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.

SHE COMES INTO OUR ROOM guided by the moonlight shining through our lace curtains. She finds my side of the bed, running her hand over the comforter as she walks. I hear a little whimper. Eyes still closed, I reach my hand instinctually toward her.

“What’s wrong, honey?” I ask, wiping my eyes as they slowly open.

“I had another bad dream,” she replies.

I pull the covers back and reach my arms out to her as she slides into the warm spot I’ve just vacated to make room. As I stretch the covers back up over her small body and tuck her in close to me, I whisper a prayer in her ear. Words of comfort and peace, a reminder that God is always near. She lets out a sigh as her eyes slowly close. She’s safe and comforted, and she feels it.

Lately my life has felt a little crazy. Between kids being sick with the stomach flu and my teenage son being hospitalized after a snowboarding accident, I’ve felt stretched thin. But as I finally took the time to sit and pray, I cried out to God and realized once again my need for him. I asked myself, Do I see him the same way my young children see me? Do I run to him for comfort? Do I believe that he is as gentle with me as I am with my kids? Sometimes I’m not sure.

And then I read Scriptures about how God is with me, how he is my comforter, just as I often am my children’s. It’s a reminder that we can always go to God whenever we feel sad, lonely, or depressed. He will comfort us. Of this we can be sure.

Lord, thank you for loving and comforting each one of us. We thank you that you care about all the big and small things that fill our days. Be near to us today. Offer us comfort and encouragement, and may we take the time to receive it. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Take some time to remember that God is your comforter, bringing to him any fears or worries you have and imagining him loving you just as you love your children or family members.