8-12-2014

Good Morning All,

         Psalm 119:50; “This is my comfort in my misery:  Your promise gave me a new life.”

       So when you are down or sad or just in need of comfort, where do you turn?  Many of us turn to food.  In fact, we have a whole host of food that we call “comfort food”.  It seems that much comfort food has a common element; it is simple.  The favorite comfort food listed is macaroni and cheese.  It doesn’t get much simpler than that.  Other foods are meatloaf, fried chicken, some put tuna sandwiches on the list but I prefer shrimp and grits.  There is chicken potpie or chicken noodle soup or mashed potatoes and gravy.  Personally, I prefer pie and ice cream.

     It is interesting how we turn to food for comfort.  I suppose part of it goes back to our early childhood when a full tummy and a soft blanket solved all the world’s problems.  Part of our comfort from food may be this.  It also may be that preparing simple food doesn’t require a lot of thought allows us to “mull” while we work.  It also might be that simple foods, foods that we associate with growing up or home, gives us a sense of being home, safe from all the struggles of the world and it may even remind us of simpler times.  It might remind us of times when our big decisions were which color shirt to wear.  It might have the effect of reminding us of the safety we found in the walls of our childhood home.

     At times of stress or sorrow we often seek comfort.  From the time we are a child and seek mom or dad to kiss an “owie” through our younger years when that certain boy or girl who was “to die for” turned us down; we sought comfort.  When the stress of a job or a lack of rain, or low prices causes us to wonder about decisions made; we seek comfort.  We seek comfort from different sources whether it is food, family or perhaps the solace of a quiet space.  All of these may offer a temporary respite, the stress or the sorrow may return.  We need to find a place of lasting comfort and that is in God’s grace.

    The Apostle Paul tells us that “for those who love God, all things work together.”  Now that doesn’t mean that there won’t be some pain or struggle.  What it means is that we will never face it alone, never be left to be left dangling in the pain or sorrow.  God gives us comfort.  We take comfort in the certainty of his promise.  God has made to us a promise, delivered at our Baptism, to always hold us close to him.  He has promised to always give to us the forgiveness of sins and to always call us back to his loving mercy.  This mercy is always extended to us at all times.

    When the stress or pain of this world expresses itself in our life, God is ever present and ready to provide for us the words of comfort that we need to live our life in the contented and restful manner that God seeks to give us.  He is our hope and comfort, at all times.

Father of mercy, you are our only true source of comfort.  You are our only safe place.  Give us the wisdom to know this and the faith to trust in you as our rock and our fortress.  Father, there are many who struggle with the pain and the sadness of this world.  Give to them your Spirit of comfort that they may know your peace.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret