Comfort

 

"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."
Mark 1:35

There have been two things (not that there haven't been hundreds) I've consistently desired in the last seven years:

That my husband's death was a horrible dream from which I'd wake and oddly enough that I would be able to have a full night's sleep (without waking). Neither has been granted. 😔 The first, I know, is a common, unfulfilled desire of many and the second...well.....I'm guessing.... is not uncommon either.

I woke very early this morning, startled, I had dreamed that my puppy was returned to the foster home....my family was so sad....yes, my entire family....my kids were at home, my husband was there....he rallied for the family, like he so often did, and brought our puppy back home. Sweet story, right?

It's painful when you wake to the realization that it actually was just a dream. And this is exactly why it's good to wake very early, while it is still dark, while there are no distractions, to pray and commune with Almighty God and settle my heart before Him. Jesus did it and he, as my perfect example, shows me that it's best for me too.

Almost immediately I thought of this verse:

"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. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."
2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬5

Even the pain that a dream brings can immediately be healed by prayer and God's Word and the comfort I receive, I can give to others.

Very early, while it was still dark, I took my puppy outside. I sat in a chair, looking towards the most beautiful sunrise and knew that the God of the universe, the God of all comfort, the God of great compassion had come to meet me where I was....on my little back patio in small town Ohio.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

He will meet ALL of my needs! Yes, even when I wake in sadness from a dream that cannot be made real.

Rarely can I read the following verse without crying....well... because I AM a cryer, but also because I can't begin to imagine a day when joy will abound so abundantly, that tears will no longer be needed.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4

When this world hurts.....when sadness threatens.....when pain overwhelms I am never alone:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."
Isaiah 43:1‭-‬3

How beautiful is the Word of God?

I'm never, EVER alone...EVER! Though I know it to be true, I am human....I falter....and that's EXACTLY why I am awakened each morning....very early, while it is still dark....free from distraction...a time when the world is still...a time....when there's TIME. He beckons me...calls me by name....and I'm SO grateful. I NEED Him. I NEED His light. I NEED His comfort, compassion and promises. I NEED His presence.

If you don't know Him you don't know that you NEED Him too. But you do! For when darkness comes, and it will, He IS the light IN the darkness. I pray you know this God, my God, who created you and loves you so, so much.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:12‭-‬14

God's chosen, dearly loved......Ask Him into your heart today! Your life will be changed forever.