Share the Shade

Oh, the comforts of home: my bed, my comfy chair, my porch swing, my routine.  A brief get-away is nice, but there really is no place quite like home!  I’ve mostly lived an on-the-on lifestyle, but this older-me seems to enjoy the ... home-style.

 

You don’t have to read much of the Apostle Paul’s writing before you see how much he loved his friends in-the-faith.  He begins most of his letters with the warm and affectionate greeting, “grace to you.”  Paul didn't just long to be with his friends -- he deeply desired to bless them usually across great distances.  In 1 Corinthians 1, he writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (V.3-4). Because life is continuously stormy, so is our capacity to grow in Christ.  In our front yard is a sugar maple -- I brought it home some 30 years ago in a coffee can.  Mr. Bill shook his head at the pitiful little thing, nonetheless he dug a hole and planted it.  We've watched it grow, and now in the summer time it's probably 10 degrees cooler in its shade.  As we grow in grace through life's storms, we have so much to offer others in their stormy times.  As Paul gave God glory for "all comfort" in his difficulties, he recognized the responsibility to faithfully share the shade of Godly comfort with his friends.  Consider what blessing-delight-favor (grace) you can extend to someone who may be experiencing a once-familiar storm.  As the amazing God-of-all-Comfort comforts us, so let us comfort one another … share the Shade.