some comfort and joy

Practice of Joy: Walking by Water (Genesis 13)

“I have now seen the One who sees me.” -Genesis 16:13b

The Bible (particularly the Old Testament) has lots of stories that don’t seem “church appropriate.” What do we do with hard and complex stories of suffering?

While Hagar faces many hardships in her life, she is also the first person in scripture to give a name to God. In her moment of deepest desperation God’s presence and provision is revealed to her.

When do you notice God most? In moments of great joy or at points of despair?

What are the signs of God’s presence that you notice and appreciate?

For Hagar, God shows up at a spring of water. Throughout scripture, water is an important image– both for physical survival and in symbolic ways. If you have the opportunity to take a walk near water today. As you walk, reflect on God’s provision in times of desperation in your own life.

If you don’t have the chance to walk near a lake or stream, each time you turn on a faucet today (washing your hands, doing dishes, or taking a shower) take a moment to reflect on the gift of living water in its many forms in your life.

God, thank you for seeing me. Amen.

Using the journal included in the May Comfort Kit, record your responses to the questions included in the post. You may also choose to spend some time coloring the included cards.

Comfort: Hagar, seen by God (Genesis 16:13)

“She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, ‘You’re the God who sees me!’” Genesis 16:13 The Message

Each of us has beautiful qualities, just like all women throughout time. And we each have those ugly moments, character flaws, and circumstances beyond our control, that raise their heads. Not unlike Hagar and Sarah, in today’s scripture reference, we are each a mixed bag.

Hagar, in particular, was having a rough time. It is difficult to know for sure based on the limited details in the Bible, but it looks like she was living out some very traumatic life experiences, not merely a rough day. Her story is complex and heart breaking. Shortly before Hagar hears from God, she and Sarah have been fighting. Hagar runs away into the wilderness. There doesn’t seem to be much hope in this story. Hagar is alone in the world.

Spring tulips are a joy to see after bare flower beds in the winter.

However, God does not leave Hagar alone in the desert. God sees Hagar and loves her – exactly the way she is. Just like Hagar, God sees and loves us, too. We are known by the God of the universe. God created each of us, and God loves us. God speaks to us too, wherever we are on this journey! God delights in seeing us, and that is life changing.

God of our good days and bad days, Creator of the Universe, give us courage to believe that You see us! Through Your loving eyes may our own vision be transformed. AMEN

Use the journal included in the May Comfort Kit, to reflect on these questions: If you believe God delights in other people you know, can you turn God’s delight towards yourself? How does it change our viewpoint if we believe God delights in us?

Lent Reflection: Prayer of Restoration (Philippians 2: 9-11)

“Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 9-11

Jesus, Master Carpenter,

My son’s workbench, which always has room for a new project.

Reframe our souls.

Build your home here.

Clean out the corners filled with our insecurity and close-mindedness.

Construct new shelves to hold Your love, God.

Renew our minds, frame windows and doors open to Your possibilities.

We want our lives to be evidence of Your creative work in the world.

Do not give up on us God, we pray.

AMEN

We hope this brings you comfort and joy. You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others!

Lent Reflection: My Confession (Philippians 2: 5-8)

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross.
Philippians 2: 5-8

Holy God,

This is my confession.

I am selfish. I would rather be in control than actually helpful. I am happy to give someone a jacket, or a blanket, or a meal rather than a listening ear. I am sure others see the world the same way I do.

I am fearful of change and suffering. I refuse to face my inner pains at the cost of my own transformation. I avoid others who are hurting to protect myself, like their hardship is contagious.

I don’t want to appear weak. I would rather take the casserole than need one.

I confess I am controlling, fearful, and want to know the future. My faithlessness hounds my loved ones.

This week we remember the great humility of Your Son Jesus.

Jesus did not make power grabs.

Jesus who walked the dusty roads and touched the people others rejected. He listened and looked at their suffering with open eyes.

Jesus was the embodied expression of You in this world. Jesus who suffered and even died to show Your Great Love.

Lord hear my prayer and expand my vision beyond myself. Please forgive me.

This is my confession.

We hope this brings you comfort and joy. You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others!

Practice of Joy: Eat for Your Heart

“…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people…” Jeremiah 31: 33-34

A great way to practice joy is to celebrate our bodies and our actual, literal hearts beating away in there. And early spring is the perfect time for a beautiful salad with fresh lettuce and spinach, loaded with vitamins that are good for your body, including your heart!

These salad dressing recipes were shared with me by my sister, Karla Stoltzfus-Detweiler, who is the executive director at Hungry World Farm in Illinois. She knows all about using the bounty of the garden to fuel your mind and body in healthy ways.

The first recipe she shared with me comes from the Simply in Season cookbook by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert .

Two-seed dressing

1/4 c. sugar or honey
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1/4 c. cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. olive oil
1/8 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. paprika
salt and pepper to taste
Combine in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well. Pour on your salad and enjoy.

Garlicky Lemon-Tahini

This second dressing is great for salads of all kinds and can even be used with roasted veggies. Follow this link to find my sister’s recommended dressing number 2! https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/garlicky-lemon-tahini-dressing

Lenten Comfort: Covenant of the Heart (Jeremiah 31)

“…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people…”

-Jeremiah 31:33-34

Rejection from a parent; a shattering divorce; a splintered friendship. These broken relationships hurt differently than other sorts of losses. The pain and grief that comes with the loss of a heart connection reveals the difference between a contract and a covenant.

God isn’t our cosmic vending machine, but a loving parent, a hovering mother-hen, a faithful lover. The connection with God isn’t just a panic button or insurance plan or last resort. We don’t offer prayers or attend church or read scripture to log our time and keep up our end of the bargain.

Our covenant with God isn’t based on our behavior but on our identity.

God’s faithfulness to us isn’t dependent on our fidelity.

God’s love doesn’t require our merit.

A covenant with God is not rigid or transactional– if you follow these rules you will be blessed– but it is a heart commitment, an interactive relationship, an eternal bond.

God, may I continue to see your faithfulness and love surrounding me. And, may I be inspired to offer covenant love to those you have put in my life. Amen.

We hope this brings you comfort and joy. You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others!

Snakes in the Wilderness: Complaint, Impatience + the Long Way Home

“…but the people became impatient on the way.”

Numbers 21:4

Some of us are weary of the wandering by now. While we’re beyond the halfway point in our lenten journey, we’re ready for spring, and a season of joy. We want to experience change realized.

The season of Lent leads us through a faux wilderness of sorts because we know when this will be over; we have certainty. We can countdown to Easter. The endpoint is fixed.

For most of us, our personal wilderness experiences are not as tidy and hopeful. Often times our wandering begins unchosen– disappointment, fear, loss– when the unexpected or unwelcome upsets our rhythms we find ourselves adrift.

And, we are not unlike the Israelites who got impatient with God’s rescue plan. Having been freed from slavery in dramatic fashion (parting of the Red Sea) the miracles of the past are quickly forgotten and the complaining begins (or resumes).

This unattributed quote appears in many places, but perhaps it comes from the wilderness experience. How quickly we move from one challenge to the next, often forgetting the miracle that led us to this new place.

What miracles have gotten you to where you are now? What are you longing for? What can you be thankful for?

God, in the long days of wandering and waiting, transform our impatience to gratitude. Amen.

We hope this brings you comfort and joy. You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others!

Lenten Practice of Joy: Meditation of the Heart (Psalm 19)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

-Psalm 19:14

The adage, “What you feed grows,” applies to our minds as much as to our gardens.

The psalmist offers with hope that the words spoken and thoughts carried in his heart are pleasing to God.

As you think over the last few days, what words have you spoken? What thoughts, cares or concerns are you carrying in your heart? What are the messages you are holding on to? Are these things nurturing your well-being?

Spend a few moments today releasing the phrases and sentiments that are not serving you. Choose a meditation or breath prayer to repeat throughout this day.

⦽ The glory of God surrounds me ⦽

⦽ I am a beloved child of God ⦽

⦽ Jesus companions me in the wilderness ⦽

⦽ I have what I need to navigate the challenges of the day ⦽

May my heart and mind nurture my faith in you, O God. Amen.

We hope this brings you comfort and joy. You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others!

Lent Reflection: Star Gazing (Psalm 19)

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2

At the end of summer, or maybe really the middle of fall, my son and I dragged our rather large air mattress out onto the front porch and pumped it completely full. With great anticipation, by my son, it was placed on the lawn where we had the best view of the stars. I have to admit that I wasn’t exactly overwhelmed with excitement about spending the night out of my warm bed. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t get much sleep, but had decided to take one for the team so to speak.

We snuggled down on top in sleeping bags with extra blankets and pillows. The goal was to view the firmament, all the stars! My lack of knowledge about constellations was quickly apparent in the face of my son’s many questions, but our main goal, enjoyment of the night sky, was achieved. It even felt a bit wasteful when faced with all this beauty, to finally fall asleep. I woke at some point in the night with a gentle breeze blowing across my face. The stars were still there and remained as I drifted off again.

In the morning, I knew without a doubt that I had slept on an air mattress and not a bed. But I remain thankful for my son’s insistence that we spend the night under the stars. It is one of my most cherished memories from 2020.

Have you ever let go of something and been surprised by the new something that takes its place? Do you have cherished memories from 2020, despite the hardship it brought?

Certainly, God, the heavens are telling of your glory. Thank you!

We hope this brings you comfort and joy. You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others!

Lenten Practice of Joy: Signs of Hope (Romans 4:18)

“Hoping against hope…” –Romans 4:18

After ten minutes of trial and error we were finally connected via zoom. While not preferable, it was the safest option for meeting. A stretch of cold, more than normal wintery precipitation, and the ongoing isolation and limits, we were all of a bit stir crazy.

“On my way back from the mailbox, I noticed this little bit of green,” she shared excitedly. “It was a crocus, pushing out through the snow. And it just reminded me that spring is coming. The season will change. Something beautiful will emerge.”

Even in the wilderness of Lent there are signs of hope and new life.

Take time to check your flower beds or go on a walk. Find a spring flower to pick (or purchase a grocery store bouquet) or photograph as a reminder of hope.

Consider, where around you is God offering a promise of renewal or transformation? Where do you see hope?

God, open my eyes to the signs of beauty, hope, and promise that surround me. Amen.

We hope this brings you comfort and joy. You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others!