Dear Mom,

Alright, mom, listen. Let’s look together at the comfort God gives. Even though our circumstances are rough, hard, and simply exhausting, there is hope found in the waiting. There is comfort. I’m here today to prove it.

Remember Elijah? His entrance onto the Biblical scene was declaring to Ahab there would be no rain for 3 years. Not a popular position for anyone. God’s response? He fed Elijah by the ravens and he had water by the wadi. Comfort and provision. Not sure about the ravens, but God knows best. God also knew what he needed after the beautiful proclamation of God’s power and strength at the altar. Elijah, after hearing that Jezebel would kill him, ran. He wanted to die, God gave him food and rest. And after running to the mountain of God, God met him in the whisper and gave him Elisha. God gave Elijah his presence and his co-worker.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NASB1995

What we know to be true about our God: He is the Father of mercies. Mercy. His mercy is a gift to us. Our time with dad in these last days has been so hard. Yet, I don’t want to forget his beautiful smile when he saw me recently. Or his listening to Luke read Shakespeare to him. Asking you for a smooch.

I was listening to Psalm 139 and the verses, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NASB1995

God knows‬‬ the number of Dad’s days. He knows the number of mine. Not one day more, not one day less. We can trust God for this day. Even when it feels like there is nothing more to give, God out gives you every single time. He will give you the courage to face this day. And the next.

Comfort is not just like that first sip of coffee in the early morning. I want to remind you of Starburst, Sammy, Lucy, Zoey, Archie and yes, even Luna at times. haha. God has given us the comfort of presence in our little animals. The unconditional love, care, and presence that they bring us has brought us all so much comfort. It is their presence in our lives that soothes. Of course, you know that God never leaves us and he is most certainly not an animal. There is never a time when you are alone. Never a time when God will abandon or forsake you.

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18 NASB1995

I know you know how much I love Jane Austen’s works. I’m reading a book right now. The author has spent her life studying, researching, and digging. She seeks any morsels about her life, her story, and the real truth. Yet, here’s the thing, Jane’s sister burnt most of their correspondence after Jane died. Her brother wrote a biography, mostly lies after her death. People have hung onto whatever they could find. All we have is six books.

You know what is beautiful about our God? We don’t have to do that. God has revealed himself in his word, in his son, and in the Spirit who lives in you. Will there always be mystery in the Godhead? Yes! And truly, if we think about it, would we want it any other way? When the thoughts overwhelm or what is before us threatens to bow our knees, we know the truth. We stand on the truth.