SWEET COMFORT

 

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and He shall give
you another Comforter, that He may abide
with you forever.
John 14:15,16

We, like many folks around the country have had our share of snow and cold weather. Even when the heat is turned up to what is normal for us in our house, there still seems to be a bit of a chill in the air. Upon visiting with my sister Kay about three months after our Mother died, I deposited my bags and belongings in the bedroom I would be staying in for those few days. As I entered the room, there was a lovely fleece afghan with the tied knots on all four sides laying on the bed. Kay had told me that this particular bedroom tended to be cooler than most during colder weather so I thought the afghan was for further insurance that I wouldn't be overly chilled. She let me know that she had made it for me and wanted me to take it with me when I left. I was thrilled. I don't know when I had received such a nice gift that I knew was not only made with love but for Kay and me, it indicated a new start of a fresh relationship. 

During these chilly days, I have spent hours with that afghan, mostly during times of reading my Bible and having something warm to drink. It's also as if I have a touch of comfort from Kay even though just a few years ago, she went to Heaven after a time of being so very ill. I can't begin to say how much I miss her. She and I did a lot of growing up together. Wrapping up in that fleece throw gives me a sense of comfort from her kindness, knowing she is with the Lord now.

In John 14, Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples for His leaving. He wasn't clear with them as to specifics, but He wanted those precious men to know that in His leaving, another would come who could be closer to them than He ever could. This Comforter would not only abide with them but would dwell within them. In verse 26, Jesus went further with information as to how this Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would work in and through them. He said,

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in My name, He
shall teach you all things and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever
I have said unto you.

I love how Jesus used the term “Comforter” for the Holy Spirit. We all need a touch of comfort in our lives every now and then, but no one can comfort like God's sweet Holy Spirit.

When just little girls, Kay and I shared a room and bed. We lived in a house with one big round coal stove that stood in our living room. Of course, at night, the stove was tended to the point that the house really got cold during the night. My Mother would come into our room to add extra covers on our bed, on top of what was already there. Some of those items were quilts that had lovingly been sewn by one or both of our Grandmothers. Some of those quilts weren't exactly quilts but were referred to as comforters. They were much thicker with extra “stuffing” in them to provide even more warmth. It's for sure we wouldn't freeze to death with all of that weight on top of us. We slept in very cozy surrounded by those comforters that also gave a sense of security.

The Holy Spirit isn't a literal quilt, afghan or comforter, but His comfort is so much more. Jesus made very clear what the Holy Spirit would be in the lives of His believers. The Holy Spirit doesn't indwell an unsaved person. He enters into a person immediately upon accepting Jesus as Savior. From that point, He is with us, in us, abiding every moment we live and breathe. You and I benefit from His comfort more often than we realize, but He does some other things as well.

Jesus said that this Comforter will teach us all things. He stands ready to teach us as we read the Word. He interprets it to our hearts. Many Christians don't realize that they can learn so much more from their Bible reading, if they first invite the Holy Spirit to teach them from what they are reading. I also love that Jesus says that our Comforter will bring all things He has taught to our memory. I don't how many times, a verse of Scripture will pop into my mind seemingly out of nowhere. That comes from the Holy Spirit...our Comforter.

So tonight, I'm sitting with my Kay Komforter around my legs, with Bible in hand while my Holy Spirit blesses me from His Word while wrapping me in the Comfort that no quilt, blanket, afghan or man-made comforter can. My Kay Komforter was made with love and love is of God. It reminds me not only of her, but of THE Comforter Who inspired its making.

Dear Father, how I praise You for sending the Comforter to indwell those of us who have come to love you and Your Son Jesus. We take so much for granted when it comes to Your goodness in our lives. I thank You tonight for Kay making me such a gift that still blesses me, but thank You more for the Comforter You have provided in my life that guides and teaches me...and that at the same time, comforts me. In Jesus' precious name....Amen