Comforters!

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever. John 14:16

About six years ago, our nineteen year old dog, Buck, died suddenly while I was out of town. This dog, which we inherited from Ashley on the occasion of her departure to college, was loved dearly. I didn’t have a clue that Buck had died until I came home, and Randy met me in the garage. Now, this is a suspicious occurrence because Randy never meets me in the garage, so I knew something had happened. I was devastated at the news to say the least.

After my breakdown, as we were walking into the house, Randy said, “Before you open the door, I have a surprise for you, but if you don’t like him – I can take him back.” I wasn’t ready for this! Inside was a sweet little puppy named Rocco, who jumped into my lap immediately and kissed me all over my face. However, it was not the time for me to welcome a new dog, so I pushed him aside and continued to be sad and grieve.

The special thing about Rocco is that he seemed to understand my grief and would not let me grieve alone. Everywhere I went, he was beside me offering comfort until I was able to love him back. These days, he is my third child!

Rocco was a rescue who was abused in his first six months or so of life, and maybe because of this, he seems to have an innate sense that tells him when someone needs comforting. He knows when people are sad, he knows when we are hurting, he knows when we are sick, and he knows when someone needs him. I’ve seen this dog walk over to a perfect stranger who had obviously had a stroke, sit at his feet and lick the man’s hand. I’ve seen him jump into a friend’s lap who is suffering and lick his face until he is laughing. I’ve seen him sit quietly by a grandchild with a fever.

I often wonder why we have to experience sorrow, loss, hurt, hopelessness, addiction, depression, cancer, or any other great pain. The answer has become a little clearer to me as I realize that before we can be competent for the mission of comforting others, we first have to have experienced the pain. God must equip us to be comforters. At that point, we can tell others how we have suffered with that same thing and how God comforted us.

Comfort isn’t given to us when we are lighthearted and cheerful, but rather after we have traveled through adversity and experienced comfort ourselves. John Henry Jowett said, “God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to make us comforters.”

When my sisters and I were little, we shared a bedroom with three twin beds all in a row. At night, Daddy would push the beds together, and we would sleep with me in the outside bed, my middle sister in the middle, and my younger sister on the end against the wall. I didn’t realize it then, but it was a great comfort to know that the other one was close.

For each of us there are people to whom we naturally go in times of trials and sorrow, sickness or grief. These are the comforters who always seem to say just the right words and those who can give wise counsel or direction. These are probably people who have been through the same valley and understand our need. God is the great comforter and when one has been through the healing with Him, then they become co workers with Him in helping to comfort others.

Just like me however, many times we push the comforters away. We think we can do it all on our own, but most times, we need the comfort these comforters can offer.

I’ve heard it said that God never sends his rod without his staff. The staff He sends to support, give rest, and be a guide. The rod He sends as protection and a symbol of love. That is what a comforter is to me – someone who provides all these things.

Just like Rocco, we all need someone who is not willing to let us go through things alone, but rather will be there offering the comfort we need.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

This is dedicated to all our sweet family dogs who loved and comforted each of us. We miss you! Thank you, Buck, Chief, Cota, Cole, Velvet, and Beau.