52 Week Challenge

This week I would like for us to focus on comfort.  Bad things happen.  It is a part of life.  This past week we remembered my sisters homecoming two years ago and I watched a friend lose their first born child.   As we watched my sister slip into the hands of God, I never questioned Him.   I only clung to the comfort only He can give.   As my friend spent long nights in the hospital with her son wondering if he was going to live or die she questioned where God was but knew His hand was on them.

Psalm 119: 76 says" Let your steadfast love become my comfort"

During times when life is rocky it is sometimes hard for us to be a comfort for our children.  We ourselves are craving comfort and sometimes have little to share.

The first thing we can do is stop and listen to each other.   Let your children tell you their feelings, don't tell them what they are feeling but let them share what is on their heart. 

Next is to just give them time.   Sometimes we just need time and space.  Don't push them to cuddle with you or to talk to you.

Don't hide the facts from them, don't feed them half-truths.   During trails don't try to protect them from things that you think might hurt them.  When it comes to sharing information, allow them to ask questions and don't be afraid to answer them.  A good friend of mine lost her second child when she was eight months pregnant.  As a family they walked through the grief process and their five year old son was involved with all the process.  He helped with the funeral and was allowed to say goodbye to his baby sister in the hospital. 

Comfort comes in many forms.  Everyone needs to be comforted in different ways.  Some people have to talk it out, others just need to be held, while others need to do something. 

Comforting others isn't easy sometimes and doesn't come naturally to all of us.  Fear gets in our way of reaching out to someone who is in need of being comforted.  Our own need for comfort can be a stumbling block.  

This week seek out someone outside of your family.  Take the kids with you and show them love and comfort.  If you don't know of someone we have a list of shutins that are always in need of a friendly visit.

Spread love everywhere you go; first of all in your house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. – Mother Teresa