Dictionary.com says the following about the word Comfort.
com·fort
[kuhm-fert] Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1.
to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to: They tried to comfort her after her loss.
2.
3.
Obsolete . to aid; support or encourage.
noun
4.
relief in affliction; consolation; solace: Her presence was a comfort to him.
5.
a feeling of relief or consolation: Her forgiveness afforded him great comfort.
6.
a person or thing that gives consolation: She was a great comfort to him.
7.
a cause or matter of relief or satisfaction: The patient's recovery was a comfort to the doctor.
8.
a state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants, with freedom from pain and anxiety: He is a man who enjoys his comfort.
The older I get the more I love this word. I long for our home to be a place of comfort and encouragement for my family and my friends. Likewise, I like for this blog - my home on the web - to be a comforting place for those of you who visit me here. I want you to be comfortable when you come to my house or blog. I want you to feel our welcome of you and for you to know we care about you.
Coming home from this trip to Florida was comforting. Our home welcomes us, and we feel at peace here. There is the rhythm of life here that we know and love. In a world where there is chaos and uncertainty, it is delightful to have this kind of haven.
Why is coming home such a big deal to us? After all we just got back from being able to go to the beach, swim in the pool, eat out, be with family we don't see often. Why the joy in being home?
I think it is because we have made this home a place of comfort and consolation. We know that we have comfy places to sit and candles and good food, and tea and coffee to share. Our beds are comfortable and there are places to put your feet up in the living room. Quiet spaces to read, a table with chairs to sit at on the deck with candle light in the evenings.
Our children and our granddaughter will have the memories of growing up here - playing in the creek, catching frogs and fireflies, collecting eggs from the chickens, riding on the horses. They will have the memories of picking flowers from the garden, and picking strawberries. Our friends kids will have those memories too, and of tea parties, and lots and lots of laughter. The comfort of a home and family life that is centered on the Lord.
I think the ultimate comfort is to know and be known - to know that you are accepted and to know the comfort of the One from whom all comforts come from. One who gives us companions to share joys and sorrows with, to comfort those who need it with the same kind of comfort we were comforted with.
2 Corinthians 1:4 - who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
This has been an important truth that has played out in our lives over the years, and we have been both comforted by others when we were going through a struggle, and we have been allowed to be comforters to people who were likewise struggling. We could comfort them, because we had been comforted and we understood.
I hope that you all have made this kind of life for yourself. It takes thought and it takes sacrifice but there is such a rich reward, that it makes it all worthwhile.
The post I intended to write was just a chatty one about getting home and back into a routine and getting the kids off to their conference. But I guess that God had other ideas about this post. The importance of comfort in uncertain times. And in case you don't know, Jesus is the source of all comfort. Look to Him to see how you can make your home a place of comfort and welcome for others. A haven of encouragement and friendship, that will be a blessing to others and to yourself.
I'd love to hear how your home comforts you and others.
This is such a lovely post! The comfort of home is a wonderful gift from our Father. I believe that a Christian home -a home where Christ is honored- is a reflection of the greater rest that is to come. I also think that creating a place of comfort must be done with intention.
ReplyDeleteEven so, I am aware that there are those for whom the comfort of home is not a reality...those who do not know Him, those who live with those who don't know Him, persecuted Christians. As with other gifts, it is wise to recognize it as a gift.
But as much as is in our power, as Christian women, I believe that it is good and it is right to create our homes to reflect His grace.
My home may be much too comforting as I have real trouble leaving it, even for things that need doing.
ReplyDeleteAusten's quote is one of my favorites. Creating a home filled with comfort is a gift to family and friends. You do it well.
ReplyDeleteYou said it all so well Deana. And one if my favorite Austin quotes.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I couldn't have said it better than you... And it is my prayer that others feel at home in our home -- but that they, too, have their own places to call "home".
ReplyDeleteI love reading about your home and family! I believe that is what we all strive for and when we achieve all of those feelings, we know we have been blessed! Lovely post!
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