Giver Of All Good Things

When my girls were little, I had a children's identification business and went out of town a couple of times a year. Mom worked with me and Mike and Dad would watch Sarah and Ivey. I would be so tired by the time we would leave, stressing over getting things ready for me to be away. This would go on until I crossed the bridge, out of New Hanover County, and that is where I would leave it behind. Then I would get excited! Mom and I loved going on our business trip because we worked about two hours a morning and then shopped, ate out, went to movies and anything else we wanted to do. Those are precious memories!

Today I am tired from preparing to be gone a week and I have worried about leaving Mom and Mike. But, when that plane takes off, I will let that go and get excited to see Sarah! As I sit at the airport, waiting for my flight, i dread the long flight. I asked God to show me how to use this time. Immediately, He told me all I have to do is sit and listen. And on a plane you have to be still so, of course, Psalm 46: 10. "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God...'" There has been little time in the last two months for me to do this. A little while each day was what I gave Him but I know I need more than that right now. So instead of dreading the long flight, I plan to close my eyes and spend time with God. I could sure use His comfort, strength and love right now!

The definition of comfort is "a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint." Isaiah 40: 1, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." And that was before the Holy Spirit came to live inside of us! There is no job, drug, person, drink, etc that can ease our pain. God is the only One who can comfort us and the only One who knows our hurts like we do! Isaiah 49: 13, "Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." I think about hearing crying children on a plane. Usually, they just need to be held and comforted by their mother. Wonder how many crying adults will be on the plane, hidden behind a mask? I bet most! And if we cry out to God, He will hear us! Isaiah 66: 13, "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

I tend to get myself tired over things I have no control of. I want everything to go smooth while I am gone. So by the time I get to go, I am tired. My strength is limited, but God’s power is limitless. When I try to do it all myself, I burn out , but God promises that I can trust Him and He will give me strength. Isaiah 40: 29-31, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Jeremiah 31: 3, "The Lord appeared to us in the past saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love.'"

There is no love more powerful than the love our heavenly Father has for His children. His love can move mountains, stop the roaring seas, heal broken bones and heal broken hearts. He is the only One who will not disappoint us. He only wants what is best for us. He can transform lives and set us free His love is so great for us that He sent his only Son to die for us so that we will have eternal life. Jesus tells us in Psalm 136: 1-3, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever!"

What more could I want than to spend time with my Father and reflecting on all of His promises!