Comfort

“Feely blanket.”  That’s what my folks called them.  Mom told me that my very first baby blanket had a satin trim and I would rub the smooth satin between my fingers.  I have no idea how old I was when that smooth satin brought me comfort, but I do remember more recent times when that satin smoothness felt comfortable.  Didn’t need to be a blanket, either. Coat linings have elicited a similar comfort.

This was brought to mind last night because of one on the guest bed. A childhood comfort, returning at a time comfort is a blessing.  Didn't even realize that the blanket had a satin edge, but I found my fingers feeling that satin edge as I prayed.

God's word provides comfort. When we read it, we see people who have been in situations similar to ours.  When we pray, we do get direction to even more comforting scriptures and know that God hears our prayers. Though ‘comforted’ is not used in the Old Testament often as applying to God, Isaiah did use it:

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. [Isaiah 49:13 KJV]

The people didn’t believe him, though:

But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. [Isaiah 49:14 KJV]

Today we have a Comforter with us always:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [Romans 8:26 KJV]

Although I desperately wanted to believe it was God’s will that my Beloved Husband survive this myasthenic crisis, I know there will come a time when he will leave me and go home to be with our Lord.  It may not occur until after I make my own trip home.  Thus, I know not what I should pray for.  My constant prayer should be – and is -- “Thy will be done,” and leave the outcome in God’s hand. Yet I found myself saying, “Please, please, please,” that we would go home to our house in Paradise, Texas-style, instead of His Paradise, this time.  It’s human to do so.  Praise God, that He knows that.

Yes, we would love to bypass the physical pain, but neither one of us is afraid of death.  We believe God is capable of providing all He has promised.  We believe He is just to a point that mankind does not understand, for our judgments are conceived with prejudices that brush our entire lives. His are not.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [Psalms 19:7-10 KJV]