Pass it On

Scripture Reading - 2 Cor. 1:3-7 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted , it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer : or whether we be comforted , it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing , that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation."

Several years back, my wife and I along with my oldest daughter would spend nearly every summer vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC at the Lakewood Camping Resort. It was, and I assume still is, a wonderful place to spend a vacation. One of the greatest thing about Lakewood is that it is a Christ centered place. Every weekday they had what was called a Children's Fun Hour. It was set up much like a Bible School would be at our churches. My oldest daughter, Kalee actually accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at one of these meetings. I read a daily devotional, http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/ , I'll man-up and confess that it is a women's devotional, but I am not ashamed that I read it. I actually gain great insight from it, and apply a lot of the God inspired principles, although I apply them from a man's prospective. Yesterday's article spoke of the significance that a particular coffee table had in the writer's life. It was the place she had come to know Jesus. So, Lakewood Camping Resort will always hold a great place in my life, for it was the place that my first born child came to know Jesus. They also held an adult bible study each day while the Children's Fun Hour was going on. It was a great privilege to sit under the teachings of Pastor Ted Ragsdale.

One day, today's reading was the topic of discussion. Pastor Ragsdale shared with us the story of a young couple who were members of his church. The couple had experienced a great tragedy in their lives as their two-year old child had wandered outside their home and fell into their swimming pool and drowned. They were devastated. Although I thankfully have not had to go through the experience of losing a child, I think that would be one of the hardest things that a parent could ever face. The couple reacted much like anyone would, they went through guilt, blaming themselves, blaming God, etc. It was crushing time for them. God, over a period of time provided them with comfort and the strength to carry on. A few years after that tragic event another couple in the area experienced nearly the same thing as their child drowned in a similar incident at their home. Although they did not attend church together, the couple in Pastor Ragsdale's church sought out the couple who had experienced the same tragedy and shared with them the comfort they had received from the Lord. As a person seeks answers for the reasons some things happen, they realize that sometimes an answer will never come. We just need to seek out and comfort those with the same comfort we have received from God. Have you ever received a card from someone that said just what you needed to hear? If you have, send a card to someone in a time of need. Have you ever received a hug from someone when you thought no one cared? If you have, hug someone you sense may be lonely. I think of the many wakes that I have attended and the sincere appreciation that those who are mourning have for that visit. If you have been comforted in this way, search the obituaries and see if there is anyone you could encourage. Practice God's principle of comforting others with the comfort you have received from the Lord. It's His Word. It will work.

Be Blessed and Live in the Now