Warm and Cozy

In the multitude of my thoughts
within me thy comforts
delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19

Growing up, I never had a jacket. Let me quickly say that in my early grade school days, that wouldn't have been unusual for most of my friends and me. One either needed coat or sweater. My grandmother was an expert at knitting. I always had a heavy, wool sweater to wear to school and to wear outside for play. Of course, when the cold weather set in, I always had a warm winter coat. As warm as my sweaters were, being wool, they were often itchy when I got a little overheated during play. Just that fact often led me to try to get out of the house without my sweater. I can still hear in memory, a familiar reminder ringing in my ears ...”Glendarae, put your sweater on..it's chilly out there.” or “Put your sweater on or you'll catch your death of pneumonia.” I must admit I never really understood that last statement.

I must confess that more often than not, those sweaters were warm and even cozy on chilly fall days in Southern Illinois. My grandmother finally quit knitting them for me because I grew so fast she couldn't keep up. I knew every sweater she ever knit for me was done with love and a certain amount of pride.

There are many places in Scripture that are warm and cozy spots. We almost feel guilty at times when we go to those places to soak up our Heavenly Father's tenderness and warmth He feels for us. I often feel I must read the deep, theological places that teach complicated truths and that convict me of sin and wrongdoing. Those places are important for us to take in, but there are other places, many found in Psalms, where we can curl up with those precious passages, something warm to sip on and just soak up God's love and care for us.

For instance, I have loved how Jesus responded to the little children who wanted His attention. Ever been with adults with children acting up to get attention? Most adults would shoo them away for a brief time so the adults can visit.. but not Jesus. Reading Psalm 23, that speaks of my Shepherd always calms my spirit...it speaks of His deep love and care for me. We almost casually read about Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people. Jesus was concerned for their physical welfare while the disciples wanted to just send them home. I love reading about Jesus' visits to the home of Mary and Martha. It would seem, He could just relax and unwind there...good food, warm fellowship. Jesus was so very human and we often lose sight of that fact.

Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter, filled with promises from God that encourages and warms the heart. It's a New Testament chapter I curl up with often. I feel the warmth as much as putting on that wool sweater on a chilly fall day. To know there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ; to be assured that as we are led by His Spirit; we're assured all over again of our security in Jesus; the assurance that ALL things in my life work for good; that if God is for me, who can be against me; and how good to know also that nothing can separate me form Jesus' love and through Hi., I'm assured I am more than a conqueror. If those things don’t warm the spiritual cockles of our hearts, I don't know what will.

The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) were given to us for a purpose. If all God had to offer of His Son Jesus was to die on a cross, then there would have been need for only two or three short chapters describing the events of Jesus' death and resurrection. God wanted us to know His Son, Jesus' love for people in every day life, leadership, firmness in conviction, concern for people of varied afflictions, and His attention to those of all ages and walks of life. I can be encouraged and comforted in reading of His varied miracles knowing that He is still working miracles in my life and the lives of others. Jesus isn't just the Man we read of in a book. We need to fall in love with Him all over again and allow His Words to wash over us with comfort and warmth:

Chapters 14-17 in the Gospel of John are chapters of comfort. It was Jesus last opportunity to comfort His disciples prior to His being betrayed in the garden. Cozy up and read:

Let not your heart be troubled;
ye believe in God,
believe also in me. (14:1)

I will not leave you comfortless:
I will come to you. (14:18)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you: not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. (14:27)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall
be done unto you. (15:7)

Chapter 17 in most Bibles is written in red. This is the true Lord's Prayer. The other He gave to the disciples wasn't a prayer for them to pray. It was an outline of things to include in a prayer. This chapter is one big prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples and is a prayer that is just as much prayed for you and me today.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also
which shall believe on me through their word; (17:20)

So read that chapter as if sitting in the physical presence of Jesus as He prays for you.

Jesus is still actively working on our behalf and that concern began back into Eternity. He is still waiting for those special times with us when He can speak peace,comfort and warmth to our hearts. As my mother would say, “Don't forget to put your sweater on...it's chilly out there.

Thank You Father for the way You love and comfort me all the time. I find such warmth in Your presence not just in tough times, but at regular times when I just want an extra portion of Your friendship. Thank You for who You are in my life. In Jesus' precious name...Amen