Never An Individual Serving

 

...the Father of mercies

and God of all comfort,

who comforts us

      in all our affliction,

so that we may be able

to comfort those 

  who are in any affliction

with the comfort

which we ourselves

    are comforted by God.

            2 Corinthians 1. 3-4

The comfort God gives us

     is never an individual serving,

but abides by God's

 fundamental law of mercy --

it gets all over everyone,

never meant to be limited

   to only our own needs.

God comforts us 

that we may be able

 and know how to comfort others,

equipped with compassion,

a pound cake,

   and a first-aid kit.

We don't just know

      how the hardship feels

   --been there, done that.

But we know the mercy of God,

   our need for community,

and to find grace to help

    in time of need.

              Hebrews 4. 16

It is not a weakness 

            to need help,

no shame in asking for help,

no sin in accepting it.

O LORD,

Cover us with Your mercy,

  grace and comfort

that we may in turn

be prepared and willing

   to be used by You

in the lives of

   all those around us.

Make us aware of needs,

    even carefully disguised

    or denied,

that we may love others

     right into Your arms.

Your comfort

   saturates all the way through.

May we comfort others

   not just with Hallmark sentiments

but in tangible ways 

          that say I love you.