Good Morning!
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
