Each year we pull the mats out of the stalls and let the stalls dry out to prepare for winter. Each year in the Fall as we’re doing this chore we say, next year we’re going to do this as soon as they come out in the Spring. Each year we’re doing it in the Fall, in the nick of time.
Starting in very early Spring through very late Fall, the horses are outside 24-7. Of course they are, you say. They’re animals. Right you are. Although we’d been working a little along, we didn’t quite have our barn ready for the cold they called for last night, 20s and windy. So, at 8:00 p.m. we ran to the barn, finished pulling the last mats back into place, threw out some sawdust a couple flakes of hay and brought them inside. They walked right in and looked at us with nothing less than gratitude, for real. They love being in in the winter, who doesn’t like being brought in from the elements?
I’m looking at Paige and I said to Tony, look at her poor eye. She has an eye thing that when the wind blows her eyes water constantly and it is uncomfortable and with the wind of the past couple of days, the tears were rolling down her face. Tony said now it won’t be a problem. Bringing them into their stalls provides a little bit of relief from the wind, the cold, and whatever other element might be happening. It’s comforting to them.
As I stand there rubbing her nose and wiping her eye, I think to myself, isn’t this what God does for us? When we’re out in the elements, doesn’t he dry our eyes, give us shelter and protect us from howling winds?
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3
He is the source of all our comfort. He comforts us because we are His children, He comforts us because He loves us, He comforts us because he is compassionate, He comforts us to teach us how to comfort others.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
In our troubles we learn what real comfort is – the comfort from God. It doesn’t mean that our troubles go away, it means that He gives us the strength that we need, it means He encourages us to persevere through our trouble, and it means He will comfort us while we endure those troubles.
Then a really beautiful thing happens. The God who gives comfort gives us opportunities to reflect Him by comforting others. How does that happen?
When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the LORD. So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:29-30
Do you see what happened? When Moses spent time with the Lord, he took on a characteristic of the One he abided with – God. Moses experienced the glory of God. God is light and Moses reflected that light.
Do you see what happened? When Moses spent time with the Lord, he took on a characteristic of the One he abided with – God. Moses experienced the glory of God. God is light and Moses reflected that light. Moses literally reflected the light of God.
In the same way that Moses reflected the bright light of God, we can reflect the comfort of God because we have experienced His comfort. We would not have known His comfort had we not experienced trouble. We would not have known His comfort had we not seen His light. We would not be able to comfort others had we not been comforted by the Comforter.
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you.” Isaiah 60:1