As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. Isaiah 66.13
When I read the verse for the year 2016 (each year the German Church chooses a verse for the new year) I was reminded of a situation that happened to us a few weeks ago. We had coffee with friends at our usual North Beach coffee Shop. While we were talking their son was playing and enjoying the new discoveries of the coffee shop. He especially loved a box which had chess figures in it. It was amazing to see how much energy and joy that little boy had. At the end of our time we were about to say Goodbye to each other when we heard a cry. The little boy fell on the floor and hurt himself. But what was the first response? He went to his Mom to find comfort. He didn’t stop crying right away and the pain was still there but being hold by his Mom and by also holding on to her he found a deep comfort till he finally stopped crying and started to feel better.
When we look at the verse we see the part of a mother that comforts a child, but then God also talks about how he wants to comfort us. Many people around us are in great need of comfort because of many life circumstances like broken relationships, hopelessness etc.. But how can they find comfort? God uses each one of us to be someone that brings his comfort to people. We don’t have to have a certificate as a counselor to do that. No many times all it needs is a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or just someone that is there. When you comfort someone you bring Gods peace to them and you can start pointing them towards him for even deeper healing. You know reality is we all can do that. We just have to do it.
We want to encourage you to start this new year of with making people priority in your life. If a crisis comes up in someone’s life and they need you, make time.
When all of us are available in bringing Gods comfort, the world will change and people start to see more hope and feel more comfort.
Hey our friend
How did you say hello to the new year? We celebrated with some friends from YWAM at our Apartment which was a lot of fun. The day after we had a visit from Ruth (Jen’s Mom) which is wonderful. We are still enjoying a little vacation and start to work again on the 6th.
Thank you to all who support us in our work here through Prayer and finances over all those years! You are a huge blessing to us! May god bless you richly!
We also look for more people to join our support team on a monthly base in this New Year. With rent increases and also increases in health insurance as well as the drop of the euro exchange rate we are in need of another $1700 on a monthly base. Pray about if you should be part of our support team or ask God if you should share this with someone you know. When you click on this link you find out more how to do that. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for all your help in this area.
Start this year by making time for people and by bringing comfort!!
Have a blessed week
Markus and Jen