Sunday Writing... 5-12-19... "COMFORTER"

Good morning!

Today's writing, "COMFORTER," talks about things and people who comfort us, and who gives us the greatest comfort of all and why.  May you be comforted today and throughout the week.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"COMFORTER"

by

Jan Andersen

I love having a nice, fluffy comforter on my bed for cool nights.  Even if it is folded up at the foot of the bed so I can tuck my toes under it if desired, it feels so cozy.  Sometimes I discover the most lovely comforters when I am away from home.  They may be fluffier, lighter, or made of smoother fabric, and therefore be more soothing.  Or it may just be that they are different so they stand out in my mind!

A person can be a comforter as well, as in someone who brings a warm feeling of protection, allays our fears, or brings relief from grief or suffering.  In a healthy family system, a mother often provides comfort to her children.  Some families are not so healthy, so that comforting may come "away from home" from others such as aunts, teachers, or friends.  Just as a quilt away from home may provide greater comfort, so might these people away from home provide more nurturing comfort in our lives.

Our most consistent comforter however is God.  Jesus comforts his disciples when they are fearful or worried, and He tells them “Do not let your hearts be troubled” when talking about preparing a place for them in heaven.  He also said that whoever loves Him is also loved by the Father, which brings us great comfort.  The Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Comforter, but this word is also translated as Advocate.  How comforting to know that we have an advocate before the Father in heaven!  God even describes his comforting to be like that of a mother:

Isaiah 66:12-13a  For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like an overflowing stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and bounced  upon her knees.  As a mother comforts her child  so will I carry and comfort you” 

So whether we have or had a nurturing and comforting mother or not, or another person who has provided mothering love in our lives, we can all rejoice in the comfort our God provides as we celebrate Mother’s Day today.  Because we have a God who carries and comforts us like a good mother, we are to bring this comfort to others as well even if we have no children or have lost children.  In doing so, we witness to these others of the love our God offers to all people.

Dear God of all Comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort others who are in any trouble in the same way, blessed be your name (from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).  Thank you for bringing us mothers and others who comfort us here on earth as an example of your nurturing love for us.  As we comfort others, may we provide a good witness to them of your love, which you showed most sacrificially through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ.  May your Holy Spirit continue to be our comforting Advocate, who with You and the Son are one.  Amen.   

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SONG:

COMFORTER

CeCe Winans

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"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 ~

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"When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

~ 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ~

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries

Blog Writers

Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett, 

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  

Bre Miller, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard

Amie Spruiell, Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,

Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa