Comfort in the Pain

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” (Ps 119:76)

I heard the screen door open and the mail slot squeak as the mail carrier opened the door to shove the mail through the slot. Lilly barked and charged at the door, grabbing the mail as it came through the slot. She slung the mail across the room and ran head-first into the door as she tried to get to the offender who dared to invade our space.

I ran into the room to grab the mail and move her away from the door before she hurt herself. But I was too late. She bumped into my leg on her way back to the door, and then she froze. I stooped to pet her so that I could see what was wrong. She curled up and wanted me to rub her belly. Then she began licking her lips. I examined her mouth and saw a loose tooth. She hung her head and licked her lips some more. I could tell she was in pain, so I picked her up and carried her around the house, trying to soothe her.

Lilly hadn’t needed a vet since we’d moved, so I called my old vet. He told me I could try to pull the tooth myself. Yikes. I didn’t want to hurt her further. I called my best friend, and she came over to help me. After looking at Lilly’s tooth, she called her vet for me, and they got us in right away. An hour later, Lilly was pain-free and ready to play again.

When I thought about how much pain Lilly was in, I hurt, too. How much more must God hurt when we, his children, are hurting! He not only sees our pain, but feels what we feel. He cries with us. And he comforts us. Whether it’s a perfectly timed song on the radio, a friend who’s willing to drop everything to lend a listening ear, a pet who curls up next to you to keep you company, or a beautiful sunrise, God pursues us and provides comfort to us. And because we know what it’s like to receive this comfort, we are able to pass that on to others when they need it.

Dear Jesus, thank for being there through my pain and sending others to comfort me. Amen.