🛋️Just Be There 😢

 Colossians 2:1 (KJV) For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Paul is saying I want you to know how hard I am working for you. 

Colossians 2:2 (KJV) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Paul wants hearts to be comforted. I can’t count the times I have wanted that for others. Their loved one whether it’s their dad or mother, husband or wife, son or daughter. It matters not if they are on life support or just laying in a bed with the death rattle sounding with death only a short step away. How do you comfort someone in those situations?  In our darkest hours comfort is hard to come by. My pastor always said “nothing takes the place of being there.” Not long ago a good friend’s husband was on life support. They were waiting for all the family to get there and then they were going to remove the support. The doctors and nurses had done all that could be done. When I found out I got in my car and drove to the hospital. As I walked down the hallway toward where the family was all sitting his wife  looked up and saw me and rose to her feet and came and gave me a big hug and thanked me for coming. That did bring some comfort. We will never know how much comfort is given when someone outside of the family shows they care. Never think you won’t be welcomed. Oh but I don’t know what to say? Say? You can say much by text but your presence will never be forgotten. Twenty years ago I sat in a private waiting room with a family that had just lost their only child in an auto accident. I said little but it wasn’t my words they remembered it was my presence. Two years later the young man's dad passed away and today a  mother and a wife still remembers my presence with her at two different hospitals when her heart was broken. One can do a lot to show they care but nothing takes the place of being there. 

Psalms 23:4 (KJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. The Lord is the greatest comfort one can ever have when troubles come into our life.  The Lord is the friend that shows up in our broken heart and gives comfort. That’s “being knit together in love”  then Paul says “unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding.” Riches! We are rich in Christ Jesus our Savior. Rich in His promises  

John 14:16 (KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I love how Psalms 23 verse 4 reads “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” The valley of the shadow of death, that is a fearful place without trust in the Lord. Notice two things about this valley of an awful place: it's only a shadow and you can walk through shadows. Does that not give you comfort?