Stepping IN

Some babies are not easily comforted, when they become anxious. They will NOT take a bottle. They will NOT take a pacifier. They will NOT take to anybody other than mommy and daddy, even well-meaning grandparents. From the time we enter this world, we need to be comforted, especially when life is too much for us: when we are anxious or afraid, when we are tired or irritable, when we are confused or uncertain, when we are depressed or disappointed or sad, we need to be comforted. Sometimes, that means reaching beyond our own resources, connecting with someone, something or some place that somehow calms us, helps us feel safe, secure, okay. Sometimes it means knowing how to access resources within ourselves.

This is my blessing bowl. I made it at a gathering of our church's College Moms group, so it holds all of the love and energy of a group of women who are special to me. My blessing bowl contains brightly colored slips of paper...post-it notes on which I have written words that represent some of the concerns of my life....the names of those I am holding close to my heart, the uncertainties I face in life, the things that are beyond my control, situations that bring anxiety to my soul. My hopes, dreams, and longings are here, too.

The blessing bowl becomes a source of comfort as I sit with it, opening each slip of paper and lifting its contents to God, in prayer. It is comforting when the needs and realities of my life change, and I can take a slip of paper out of the bowl or add another. I am comforted by the awareness of God's activity in my life, whether I always notice it, or not. As I hold the bowl to my heart, lift it up, then set it down, I find it helps me ground my day in the love of Jesus, for me and those I love. This is one source of comfort for me.....what's yours?

With this question, the sanctuary was abuzz this morning, as people moved into triads and shared with one another, what brings comfort to them. We listened to the story of a man born blind, who Jesus healed (John 9:1-41) by making a paste of dirt and spittle, applying it to the man's eyes and telling him to wash in a pool of water. Not a very comforting picture. The healing touched off a controversy among virtually all who witnessed it. No comfort there, either. Comfort comes when there is a shift, an awareness, from within or beyond, that enlarges the blind man's soul so he able to confess, "Lord, I believe." Crossing from 'once I was blind' to 'now I see,' the blind man finds comfort when he is awakened to the love and light of God, in this gift of healing.

Comfort is not the end, but the beginning of his transformation, and mine. Stepping in to comfort, my soul is enlarged and awakened, so that the healing love and soothing light of Christ I experience may flow from my life, with God's healing, for the world.

Stepping in,

Cheryl