Whenever my Sweet Girl is hurt, she comes to me for a quick boo-boo kiss but no sooner have I picked her up to comfort her, does she want her Teddy Bear.  Whether she has gotten in trouble, is greatly disappointed or has had something taken from her by her brother, her sweet and very-loved Teddy is who she wants to bring her comfort.  And when she is really upset, we can search the whole house (in tears) looking for the little worn bear that soothes her spirit.  

One thing I am continually struck by is the passion and determination with which she runs to Teddy. There is nothing to distract her.  There is nothing to stop her until she finds comfort with Teddy tucked in her arm and nestled in her neck.

As many times as I have observed this pattern, I have thought of us and where it is we regularly run to for comfort in the midst of trouble.  It is easy to run to friends and family, to those who will answer a telephone or meet with us in person.  But how quickly do we run to the Lord for the comfort and peace He brings that is far superior to that of another person?  

This last month has been one of tragedy and loss in my city and in my family.  I think I have cried more in the last month than I have in the last six months combined.  Even outside of “my world,” whether I’m reading a personal account of the Syrian refugee children, turning on the news or just listening a story on the radio . . . the tears are flowing quite easily these days.

There is a lot of sadness in our world.  And whether you feel it from a distance or up close, where do you turn for comfort?  I just started Kelly Minter’s Bible Study called “Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break.”  Interestingly enough, here is what I read yesterday on Day 2:

“Is your knee-jerk reaction to cry out to the One who is all-powerful, who is merciful, and who deeply loves you?  Or do you turn to your own resources, closest friends, most powerful relationships?  Do you shy away from prayer because of a lack of trust or intimacy with God?  Do you feel safer keeping things in your own hands and under your own control?  Take time to consider these areas of unbelief, and ask God to work out in you a greater trust in Him.”

I think it is easy in the midst of crisis to turn to God.  I don’t know how people get through deep times of sadness and loss without Him.  But on the less significant, less life-stopping stuff, boy, the “under your own control” is speaking to me.  How about you?  What I want is to run to the Lord with the passion and determination of a two year old in search of her beloved Teddy.  I want to remain undistracted until I have met with the One who graciously gives help in time of need.  Thank you, Lord, for being our refuge, our strong tower and our source of comfort.