This day had already been a pretty hard one for her with a
sudden visit to the Dr. first thing that morning for an unknown sickness. After blood being drawn, urine sample taken
and finally an IV put in it turned out to be a major case of dehydration
brought on by a flu bug. So you can imagine how this was more than just another
fall.
We all rushed to snatch her up and hand her over to the calming
arms of her Mama. She sniffled, wailed
and moaned. I got her an ice pack as she
lay, rocked back and forth, in the arms of comfort. After about 10 minutes of tears the crying
died down. Mama soothed the fears and
all the pain went away. By the end of
the day she was almost bursting with energy and the desire to roam and play
could hardly be contained!
It was this memory that came to mind as I was dealing with my
own emotional tumble down the stars of life. The relational collision awakened fear in my heart. The emotional wounds throbbed with pain causing tears to wet my face and my journal but than suddenly I thought how wonderful it felt to be in the comforting arms of God, to feel
the closeness, the soothing words and peaceful presence of being close to a God
who loves me.
I thought about the feeling of peace which came as the result of dealing with hurt. Just like my niece, I have
a hard time sitting still with an eagerness to live, work and have adventures. Lately I haven’t been climbing into the lap
of God so to speak, but it was this moment, and several others, which made my
need for that comfort undeniable.
It astounds me, truly, that hard times bring so many
wonderful feelings of safety and hope?! It
made me glad for this moment. For the
chance to step out of self-reliance and into childlike weakness for the comfort
that it brings.
Isaiah 51 was really encouraging. I'll just give you a few highlights.
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: ", "For the LORD comforts Zion: he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song", "I will set my justice for a light to the people. My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait.", "my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.", "Awake, awake, put on strength, oh arm of the LORD; (people of God)" "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.", "I, I am he who comforts you"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUIKLLa42_Q
