Comfort

 

Gimli and Virginia love all things soft, warm, and comfortable. They hate sitting or standing on hard floors, which is a bit of a problem since almost all our floors are wood and tile. They always find a soft spot on a rug, or towel to sit on rather than brave the cold tile on their butts. This morning, when I exited the shower, I found Gimli on 1 bath rug, and Virginia on the other, avoiding as best they could the tile throughout the room. They love to snuggle up to us in bed, get under the covers, and lay their heads on our pillows just like little people. Even while laying on our soft bed, Gimli makes a little pillow for himself out of Paul's pants. They love to be comfortable, and will go to extreme lengths to avoid being uncomfortable. If they are uncomfortable, they pout! Oh, are they pitiful pouters! They know how to tug on your heartstrings!

I love to be comfortable too, and often go to great lengths to avoid discomfort. For me, comfort is a real idol. It robs me of my time, temping me to do things that are comfortable but not valuable. It distracts me from obeying God, which almost always requires a leap of faith outside of my comfort zone. It steals the joy of what I could have experienced had I taken that step of faith and followed God's leading because I feared taking a risk. It enslaves me to mediocrity, never fully realizing the potential of myself and opportunities that God gives me. It cheats me out of the peace I could have in giving God control of my life by convincing me that He is not trustworthy or able to meet my needs, so I have to meet them myself . Though I know all of this in my head, my sin nature continually tempts me to go return to my comfort idol. It's easier that way honestly. But oh, what I give up to pursue ease and comfort!

I am convinced at the end of my life, I will want to have live a life of purpose rather than a life of ease. My prayer is that God would give me the strength and determination to choose to invest my days, resources, talents, and treasure in things that might not be the easy and comfortable, but bring glory to God & impact eternity rather than just bring me comfort.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

"Do I Matter to You?"

Gimli is trying to oust Virginia from
 the spot closest to Paul

Gimli loves to hang out in his crate, and will often just sit in there while the rest of us are hanging out in the living room. He is totally content nestled in his dark crate, curled up in the warm blankets- that is until he suspects that Virginia is getting attention from us. I don't know how he knows, but somehow he can sense when Virginia is getting a tummy rub or is snuggling up to us. Though he was previously content in his dark, soft crate, when attention is being dolled out, he has to be on the receiving end. He will push Virginia out of the way, step on her, whatever he needs to do to steal all the attention for himself.

Though I've learned how to control my behavior to not actually push people out of my way, I can often still have this very same attitude about others' successes.  Do I rejoice with my friends when they receive a blessing even if I haven't? Even if I've been praying for that same blessing and have yet to receive it? Even if I know I will never receive that very same blessing? More often, when others receive a blessing I want, I turn in bitterness and anger to God, asking, "Why did you give that to her? Why not me?! It's not FAIR God!!"  The truth behind this reaction is not so much about the other person's blessing, but about my apparent lack of blessing. My heart is crying out to God asking, "Do you see me? Do you hear my cries? Do I matter to You?"

The truth is that God does hear us, and He cares more than we can imagine. So often it doesn't feel like that, but that is the truth, no matter what the circumstance may be. He may not answer the way we would like, but whatever He chooses is always the best. When we believe God is for us, that He loves us and is at work in our lives, we can more easily rejoice with our friends when they experience times of blessing, even in our times of waiting and longing. We will all experience seasons of blessing and seasons of painful longing. Whichever season we are in, we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to come alongside us and go through it together. I am praying that I would be a catalyst for worship to those God has placed in my life, and that He would provide those relationships for me as well, so we can all worship God together in every season of life.

Lamentations 3:55-58: But I called on your name, Lord, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help! Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.” Lord, you are my lawyer! Plead my case! For you have redeemed my life.

Comfort

We took Gimli and Virginia to get their annual check ups last week. They did great at the vet, but shortly after we returned home, Virginia started having an allergic reaction to one of the vaccines she got. It was clear she felt terrible. We ended up having to take her back to the vet twice to relieve her pain. The whole time she was sick, she just cuddled up to me and wanted me to pet her. I got up for just a second, and when I returned she was shivering because she was scared. She didn't want to leave my side even for a second. She didn't feel good and knew where she would receive comfort. She didn't go to her toys, her food, her water, or even Gimli. She came to her mom.

When I am in pain, I don't always go to my Father for comfort. I often go to friends, family, Paul, seek to mask my pain through food or distract myself through entertainment. None of things can do anything for my pain. All they can offer is a temporary distraction. Christ, however, knows our pain intimately. We don't even have to tell Him what's going on- He knows. He loves us exponentially more than we will ever understand, and certainly more than anyone else will ever love us. He is in perfect control of all things, knows the past, present, and future of the entire universe, and yet cares about the little details in each of our lives. This is truly amazing. Why on earth would I turn to anything else? Mostly because I'm sinful, but my prayer is that God would remind me of His presence, His love and His desire and ability to comfort me in my pain, and that I need Him in the painful times.


Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Matthew 11: 28-31