It rained one day last week. Not much. By official measurement only .02”, but it was enough. After a summer wrought with smoke and extreme heat, .02” was enough to bring relief to the ground, to the air, to the plants, to our souls. But it reminded me that the most meaningful relief is through what we can offer others and the most permanent is what God offers us.
There was a commercial in the mid seventies that asked the question “How do you spell relief?” If you know the answer to that, then not only have you revealed your age, but you have also proven the power of advertising.
Though I am not sure how many people took ROLAIDS up on their cure for acid indigestion, I do know that their slogan certainly passed the test of time. And those little tablets did offer temporary relief.
But relief that surpasses just the absence of physical discomfort comes most often with a human touch. Sometimes it comes in grand gestures. I remember that almost immediately after my divorce, my cousin took a week of her vacation time and came all the way up from Southern California to be with me for a week, to make me feel special and to not be alone. It was wonderful.
At other times that relief only needs to come in a small portion, like that .02”. It could be an impromptu visit, or call, or text from a friend; a meal; a helping hand; an hour of respite; an unexpected gift; a shared memory.
However, people are not always available or in tune with our struggles or feelings, which is why, ultimately, God is the one who will always be there to provide comfort.
Yes, the one who sent the .02” of rain to restore our energy and air quality, is also the one of whom the psalmist Asaph said, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).
Asaph tells God:
"Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).
And the author or Lamentations reminds us:
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-24).
When you find yourself in need of relief, enjoy the refreshing rejuvenation of nature, cherish the time with friends, but rely on “the steadfast love of the Lord.”
There was a commercial in the mid seventies that asked the question “How do you spell relief?” If you know the answer to that, then not only have you revealed your age, but you have also proven the power of advertising.
Though I am not sure how many people took ROLAIDS up on their cure for acid indigestion, I do know that their slogan certainly passed the test of time. And those little tablets did offer temporary relief.
But relief that surpasses just the absence of physical discomfort comes most often with a human touch. Sometimes it comes in grand gestures. I remember that almost immediately after my divorce, my cousin took a week of her vacation time and came all the way up from Southern California to be with me for a week, to make me feel special and to not be alone. It was wonderful.
At other times that relief only needs to come in a small portion, like that .02”. It could be an impromptu visit, or call, or text from a friend; a meal; a helping hand; an hour of respite; an unexpected gift; a shared memory.
However, people are not always available or in tune with our struggles or feelings, which is why, ultimately, God is the one who will always be there to provide comfort.
Yes, the one who sent the .02” of rain to restore our energy and air quality, is also the one of whom the psalmist Asaph said, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).
Asaph tells God:
"Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).
And the author or Lamentations reminds us:
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-24).
When you find yourself in need of relief, enjoy the refreshing rejuvenation of nature, cherish the time with friends, but rely on “the steadfast love of the Lord.”
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