Five Minute Friday: Comfort

When sleep escaped me at 2 a.m, I read the prompt for FMF, thinking I could write when I woke up for real. I drew a blank. When my phone quacked at 5 a.m., still blank. While listening to my children read the Bible tonight, waiting for my turn, it came to me.

Comfort

Today, I had the privilege to spend the day with a friend from church. My friend is several decades older than I, and is experiencing much confusion and short-term memory issues.
We, my daughter and I, were there to try to provide some stability and comfort for her, but she instead was the one to give me comfort.
She shared many wise words, despite repeatedly asking my name, what we were doing for the day, when her family would back, etc.
Over and over she exclaimed how sweet Jesus was and how good God is. She asked if I was grateful for my family and if I told them. She asked if I got on my knees and thanked God for them. She prayed for our breakfast and lunch, she told stories of her church friends from the past and she told us she was grateful that we were there.
She reminded me in such an impactful way how important faith is. Just trusting in Jesus. That is comfort.
End

Proverbs 16:31 (ESV)
“Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.”

Five Minute Friday

(in)RL

On Saturday morning, I dropped my big boys off at our local homeschool conference, then drove 30 minutes west to a stranger’s house in a smaller town.
There, I met two more strangers (who were long-time friends), who had driven 30 minutes east.

The purpose of the meeting: To get acquainted with each other and view and discuss a webcast that was part of a women’s conference, (in)RL. The conference was hosted by the bloggers of (in)courage, a division of Day Spring.

The brave friend (no longer a stranger), who hosted this meet-up signed up to do so months ago. I, on the other hand, registered three days before the event. I had checked the registration page every time it was mentioned in the blog, but just couldn’t seem to commit.
The problem: sheer fear. I finally clicked the register button because I knew it was now or never (or least next year). And how discouraging would it be to offer to host, only to have your offer rejected.

The morning flew by as we shared our stories. We are all mothers, have all been through trials of different types and all love Jesus. We all agreed that we would like to do this again.
New friends. A new community. Centered around Jesus.

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New friends.
Photo credit: Our hostess’ kind daughter.

The key quote from the conference was:
“When I heard women speak and share stories that were so authentic and pouring from their hearts, immediately I felt my own defenses just melt away.”
– Michele-Lyn, @LifeSurrendered

A quick review of the webcast:
I watched the Friday night part on my own and we watched part of the Saturday session together. Some of it was good, some helpful, some not-so-much, all-in-all, a bit dis-jointed. It just didn’t seem to flow well. The new friends and fellowship were definitely the highlight. You know, I think that was the point.

The key scripture was:

Philippians 2:1-4 NIV

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”