God's Rest

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Author: Mr. Tim Hayakawa (Hawaii, USA)
Tuesday 23 April 2024 © The Upper Room.
One day when my daughter Penelope was a toddler, we were hosting a family gathering.  Penelope was playing with her cousins in a noisy room, crowded with relatives.  Penelope is a quiet, serious girl, and she suddenly became overwhelmed by her surroundings.  She toddled over to me, placed her head sideways on my lap, and began sucking her thumb while I stroked her hair.  Half a minute later, she went back to playing with renewed intensity.

I was happy that Penelope came to me for comfort and that a few easy strokes of my hand were all it took to make her feel better.  That day remains one of my sweetest memories from her childhood.

When I pray to God earnestly in the midst of exhaustion, distress, weakness, or powerlessness, I feel as if God is stroking my head too.  Turning my troubles over to God gives me the comfort and rest I need to face my day with new resolve.  I get the distinct impression that God enjoys comforting us when we ask for help, just as years ago I enjoyed comforting Penelope.

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for helping us during times of distress and for comforting us with your love.  Amen.
 
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Fantastic! I’m so thrilled by God’s goodness that He has brought about such a wonderful way of communicating His love and Gospel to Deaf people. I’m convinced God will use it to His glory and that it will be an effective means of nurturing Deaf Christians for whom church and the Bible is often difficult. You can be assured of my prayers in asking our Father to use these means to reach Deaf people who would never dream of entering a church building. KS