Comfort Like a Mini Van
A few summers ago, I went backpacking for the first time. This trip wasn’t a basic backpacking trip. This was an Alaskan, climbing over boulders, grizzly bears across the lake backing-packing trip. I was EXHAUSTED by the end of the trip. My feet were sore, I barely slept, and I all I could think about was a hot shower. We rounded the corner, and there it was. The parking lot. I swear I could hear the angels singing the moment I saw that beautiful minivan. At that moment, I didn’t see the minivan as a rusty, old, soccer mom’s car but as a carriage going to take me back to my weighted blanket and working toilet. I climbed into the crusty vehicle and felt something I never thought I’d feel from a literal minivan- I felt comfort. I felt safe riding down the mountain with the AC blowing on my face.
Now, I’m sure not many of you can say that a minivan has provided you comfort in a dire time in your life. But, if you ask yourself honestly, what brings you the most comfort? Is it a family member or friend? Maybe it’s a specific song you play? Maybe it’s your favorite ice cream treat? Whatever brings you the most comfort, take that and multiply it by an infinite number. That’s the comfort the Lord gives you through your darkest moments. One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 which says, “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.“ in life we will go through hard things. And I mean HARD things. We fail, people leave, we get hurt. Like I said, we go through tough things. But we are not alone in our pain. The God of all love, peace, and joy comforts US in our pain, our darkest moments, and our hurts. When we are hurting, his arms are wide open, waiting to comfort us. He waits for us after we go through the most difficult seasons of our lives. He wants to comfort you. He is madly in love with you and will guide, protect, and provide all that you need through your darkest moment. So remember, when you feel lost, hopeless, and drowning in pain, remember the never-changing, ever-present comfort of Christ. Kinda like that minivan did for me after that hike.
Photography by Alexis Amezquita-Denham
