Comfortable Places

The painting on the left is of an 18th century inn which is nestled against a hill and surrounded by woods. It sits on a bridle trail that follows a winding creek. I've spent many hours on that trail and the surrounding trails. One of my favorite times of the year to visit this hideaway place is the autumn. Imagine the smell of woodsmoke in the air, vibrant colors all around, crispy leaves crunching beneath the feet on the gravely trail and birds singing their farewell songs. The ducks in the creek are generally making their racket, too. Excitement is in the air. The heat of summer has gone! Time to move on! It is a comfortable place to be. When I am there, I savor every moment. I want time to stop. Everything that is stressful or distracting flees for those seconds and life feels wonderful.
But, that isn't life, is it? Most of us can recall moments in time that are absolutely glorious! Moments in which we are bursting from the emotional swells that we feel. Human nature so longs to be in the "Garden of Eden" every day. We often seek things that make us feel comfortable and avoid things that bring discomfort. That is because we can't imagine the end result of going through "uncomfortable" circumstances. Isn't it a blessing that our loving, heavenly Father is busy molding and making us more like His Son, our Savior? That process isn't a lifelong vacation in the Garden of Eden. It is a steady journey that has an earthly beginning and end. It is a journey that winds through the valleys, up to the mountain peaks, along great stretches of sameness and through some very difficult terrain. Often that journey is exhausting! But we are not journeying alone. Jesus Christ, our Savior is right there with us! He said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light."
So, maybe right now you are not in the most comfortable place. Maybe God has pushed you into a place where necessary growth can take place. Submit to His plan! Trust Him! Lean on Him! Be grateful for the blessings that He has given to you.
Not far from the idyllic scene in the painting is a busy metropolis. The scenes that might portray that place might be ones of stress, crime, busyness, overcrowding, sadness, etc. Isn't is amazing that in the midst of all of that, one can retreat to a place of quiet and peace? Likewise for God's children - even in times of difficulty, peace can be found. Isaiah 26:3,4 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock." That is the most comfortable place to be.
Another favorite hymn.... words which have ministered to me during times of great difficulty and worth memorizing...

Like A River Glorious

Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious in it's bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Refrain:
Stayed upon Jehovah,
Hearts are fully blest-
Finding as He promised,
Perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow,
Never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry,
Not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the sun of love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do-
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true. (Frances Ridley Havergal)

Blessings and peace,
~Ruth