It is unusually cool and windy, for us here in Tennessee at the end of October. Having grown up a northerner, I don’t mind it. In fact, over the past 14 years that I’ve lived here, I have found myself really missing the fall season that I was acquainted with from my childhood. The kind of fall that required a jacket for the morning walk to school and a cup of hot chocolate after the walk home. The kind of fall with fiery hues shining from the red Maples.
I loved that kind of autumn.
With all of these memories swirling through my mind, like the wind thru the trees in my backyard, I got to thinking about my favorite comfort foods that mom used to make. I couldn’t help but think of some of her specialties, what her cooking was like in the winter. And I could almost taste some of those favorites that my sister and I loved growing up.
Especially the meatloaf. Now, many people turn their noses up at meatloaf. It is definitely not a rich man’s food, I suppose. But there is nothing more worthy of my oven, than a delicious hot, steaming meatloaf on a cold fall day.
You would probably be surprised (if you know me at all) to find out that I didn’t have the recipe. Until today, that is. I knew I wanted to make a meatloaf for dinner, since it is perfect meatloaf weather, but I didn’t want to make the same old sub-par meatloaf any more. That one I always regret making. I’ve been doing that for the past several years – and its just not as good as mom’s.
I called her. and I said, “Mom, remind me. I know we’ve made this meatloaf together before in the same kitchen. I know you’ve made it for us when you’ve come here to visit. But, I can’t remember.” Without hesitation, she knew it by heart, right off the bat. And I made it, one ingredient at a time, while we were on the phone chatting.
When we hung up, and I was finishing getting dinner prepared, I had a few quiet moments to think. I recently found myself in a similar situation with my Emily; it was a tender-hearted moment, where she wanted me to tell her again. She came, with her heart wide open, wanting me to remind her – why it was going to be okay, why she didn’t need to worry. Where is the comfort? And, I don’t need to tell you all the details, but it was one of our most precious times together.
This is the kind of mom I want to be: the kind of mom who offers the recipe to comfort. Except, its pretty easy, because there is only one ingredient. I know it by heart. His name is Jesus – and it is all she needs, and all I need for that matter. He is all this world needs for comfort, for peace, for confidence: Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord. I don’t want to just offer it once in a while. I want to say it so much and live it so well, that they are my children’s favorite words to hear, that they ask for them again and again and again, and they dwell on them with utmost fondness, fully settled into their hearts.
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These are Words I’ve been lingering over – my hope, my peace, my strength for every situation. My prayer is that I will live with confidence, and that I will be prepared to offer this comfort to anyone who needs it…
from Psalm 119:
145 I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.
146 I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word.
148 My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.and from Isaiah 26:1-4:
“We have a strong city;
God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.
2 Open the gates,
That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.
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