The Comforter

In life there is always something new to learn. Because of this, in life, there is always something new for us to walk through. I am not fond of my “something new”. Many might think it’s silly, but for anyone who has ever loved a pet…well, you  know and will understand my heartstrings here and will relate to my new “something new to walk through”.

Yesterday, in the afterglow of England’s conference blessing, I stopped my unpacking to take my 14 year old Bichon, Bubba to the vet. And, as suspected the large fast growing tumor on his neck is the return of a cancer he had a little over a year ago. We operated then, but now, it’s so aggressively growing and so large that operating would be a big surgery and only buy him a little more time. Besides that, it’s a lot of money followed by chemo and radiation, which again…would only buy maybe…6 months.

So, the story goes, Bubba has about 1-2 more months, as estimated by the vet.

I surprised myself by the open display of grief at the vet office, and the rest of the day felt heart-lagged, when I was expecting to be jet-lagged. All day my heart kept lagging behind, I would have to pick it up again…and move on some more, then one look at Bubbs, and my heart would begin doing it’s sad movement, again and again.

I wish life was easy. Sometimes it’s fun, but it’s not easy, is it? We have responsibilities and we have disappointments. Life is filled with the raw expanse of human emotion and human experience. And, that is exactly why I love today’s verse. So take it in, process, think about this all day long…not Bubba, but the verse 🙂

Today’s Truth: John 14:16-17

“And, I will ask the Father, and he will give you another comforter to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. The world can not accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans.”

Comforter is the word used in the KJV, and is from the Greek word, paraklatos, which means in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant.

While I was in England, the last main session was taught by a woman named Faith Forester, she began  her message with, “Why is this happening…I’m a Christian?” Then later she posed another question, ” if we never needed comfort in this life, ( if life was always meant to be easy) then why did God send us a Comforter?”

Sometimes my “comfort” in things, easiness, life that is going my way…keeps me further from God then I am when I need to walk closely in His Spirit, relying on the Holy Spirit residing in me. When life is hard, and I need comfort, I am in need of a resource larger than myself. It is then that I have the opportunity to experience God differently. He does comfort, he does supply peace, and life then is all the richer for the dark colors woven within the cheerful print of my days.

I can remember the days when God used little Bubba as a comfort to me. When I lost my mother and cried my heart out, I often held Bubba and cried into his curly fur….when I felt hurt by someone, I would often tell Bubba and hold him as he looked at me as if to say, ” it’s OK, God is with you.” I never knew I would love an animal this much. But I do, and soon I will rely on a different comfort than the cuddle of my little fur friend.

You may not be losing something right now, but life might just be tricky. Remember, you are not alone. Or maybe life is just hectic…Remember you are not alone. Or perhaps life is amazing beyond belief…especially now remember it is God who is giving you the bright spot, and remember you are not alone.

Jesus went to the Father, but he didn’t leave his disciples defenseless or alone. He gave them His Holy Spirit to live in them forever. We too have the Holy Spirit inside us, to live with us forever. Think about that today.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, thanks for sending a comforter, a helper, a counselor, someone bigger than me to lead me into all truth in this life. I am just me, small, often confused, sometimes grieving. I need something big, secure, and powerful. You gave me your Spirit. I am sorry that I forget. Thank you for the reminder. Help me to live in the truth of the Spirit life within me. Teach me how to live, including how to deal with losses, how to grow richer because of them.