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2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (ESV)
As I walked in the centre of town on a cold day in springtime, I was momentarily warmed and caressed by a body of air as it moved with me down the street. It was issuing forth from a large department store entrance.
The manner of its warmth was accompanied by a nudge in my spirit. It was a reminder of how God travels with me through all things. He wants to accompany us and comfort us as we travail in the coldness of grief and sorrow. It was as if, for a moment, God was moving with me down the street — like a father caressing the head of a loved child and holding their hand to help them through a testing trial.
Sadly, there are no shortcuts through grief and sorrow. It is just something that we have to plough through in faith, knowing that in due time, its doggedness will become attenuated to be given its proper place in our lives. Even if there is a massive space left behind by the loved one now departed, God's love and compassion is willing to reside there, too, if we are willing.
So I am thankful, but as a son, I miss parents and the space they leave. So, in this small episode, I believe that God wanted me to be aware of His favour and blessing for today, and not be intimidated or overwhelmed, or to focus on what has passed, or the manner of their passing, but to step back from the edge of darkness and to look forward to the future.
If you, like me, are missing a loved one today, let us all rest in the knowledge that God is for us, for that is why we are created, to be in relationship with Him. So in our sorrow, let us be open to His loving kindness, and do not hold out against it, because He will walk with us through the darkness.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the certainty of Your loving-kindness that is for all those who bow the knee before Your throne. Thank You for Jesus' suffering that takes our place at the cross and gives You the right to say, "I am with you always!" — even through dark times when we feel alone. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Good words of wisdom Rod.
Thank you Rod for your words… very special! Blessings.
Amen, and deepest Sympathy.
(Texas)
Rod, isn’t it wonderful how God sends zephyrs of comfort and encouragement into our lives! Thanks for the reminder. Blessings.
Dear Rod,
What a beautiful devotional! I could feel His warmth as I read this; I identified with your missing your parents, for I miss mine too. Thank you for writing; it’s always good to hear from you.
Not an easy walk but thank God that we know Him and all He has done through His Son Jesus. Be blessed by those who pray for those who love you in time of lose, look forward in the warmth in the days ahead. God’s blessing be on you at this time.
Beautiful Rod. I’ll be sharing this with a friend, who is approaching the one year anniversary of her husband’s passing. Thankfully, they were Christians and believers. Nevertheless, that void is always with her.
Blessings to you and yours.
Dear Rod:
I pray God blesses you always with the Holy Spirit. He is the the Great Provider. I do believe He is with us and comforts us.
In His wonderful name I pray.
Hello Roderick,
Thank you for your devotion titled Warmth, which I read this morning. I found it very moving, comforting and encouraging.
Blessings to you, and thank you for sharing.
My dear friend in Christ,
What a warm hearted message – “Amen”.
May the dear Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins bless and keep you strong as we continue to put our trust in him one day at a time.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Rod I loved your message, it provided me with the assurance God is truly with me during the times I miss and long for the company of those, He so graciously placed in my life for many years. I loved my mom and dad and my dear son, whom we lost in his early 40’s, so much – life just has never been the same without them. However our God is a gracious, kind and loving God and to repeat what you assured us, I know, He will indeed walk with us through our dark and lonely days.
Blessings to you, and your family. Love them and tell them how much they mean to you every day of your life.
Thanks Rod. My dad died of a massive heart attack at age 49 when I was in my 20’s and just charting out the rest of my life. I regret so much not having him around to watch me get married, have kids and grandkids, to offer wise advice on parenting and grandparenting. I love telling my grandkids some of his jokes – he had a terrific sense of humour. He was also a tremendous role model. Thankfully as you remind us, God walks with us through those sad memories and brings us both peace and joy.
God bless you!
(Ontario)
Dear Rod,
Thanks so much for such a clear understanding of grief in your devotional today.
I volunteer as a chaplain in our local correctional facility. So many of our inmates suffer loss of loved ones while incarcerated. I feel this article would be such a blessing to them. I like to give it to some of the inmates. I will delete your name and add: Reprinted with the author’s permission from the PresbyCan Daily Devotional.
God bless you abundantly.
Thanks Rod, well said and appreciated.