Comfort Beyond Comprehension...

We live in a stunningly beautiful, badly broken world!!

Jim and I enjoyed a little getaway to the rolling hills of Holmes County, Ohio

from Friday to Sunday.

My cup of awe overflowed as I marveled at bucolic views

 of majestic hills, winding roads and Amish farms

and homes tucked in every curve, crook and cranny! 

On Friday and Saturday the community bustled with industry,

buggies and E-bikes...

 but on Sunday all was quiet,

as man and beast (and E-bikes!!) rested!

Then we returned home to the news of a horrific tragedy in our community

that claimed the lives of  five children/siblings

and there are no words to try reconcile such shock and grief!

But there are prayers and just as Jesus promised

before He went to the cross so it is.

'I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.'

The way to His comfort is found in the gospel of

John chapters 14, 15, and 16 as He prepares and comforts His disciples

just before He who knew no sin was crucified for all of humanity's sins.

In the garden of Eden, sin broke the state of perfection in this world 

and as long as there is sin;

 disobedience to God, there will be trouble and sorrow...

and always God who forgives, strengthens, comforts and helps us

if we confess our sin and trust in Him!

We are so small but God is so Big.

Rom. 11:33

O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

Isa.55:9

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways 

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Ps.103:11

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.

What this day holds we cannot know

Time's bloom unfolds wonder and woe

Where hope and heartbreak intertwine

As dreams and plans their schemes resign

To He whose steadfast faithfulness

Will never leave us comfortless 

What waits to be of smiles and tears

Of tested faith and holy fears

Of battles fought or triumphs won

Before this fleeting Day is done

Only God knows; His thoughts and ways

Confound the small frames we appraise

What consolation this; to know

When sorrow strikes its sacred blow

We find within our brokenness

'He does not leave us comfortless

With nail-scarred hands He draws us near

And counts and cups each falling tear

Someday, we all will take our turn

To exit this world's live-and-learn

Time is eternity's façade  

And all who put their hope in God

Are comforted, in spite of grief

As we await Promised Relief 

...as beauty and brokenness meet

In awe and horror, bittersweet

As faith alone encounters He

Whose comfort transcends tragedy

A Mystery that He unveils

To all who trust when all else fails

Janet Martin

John 14:23

 Jesus answered and said to him,

 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;

 and My Father will love him, 

and We will come to him and make Our home with him.