Birds In a Nest and Some Thoughts on Comfort

Today has been the first really truly Springlike day of the year and we sure have enjoyed it! I even opened a few windows for a little while.

As we're continuing the bird theme this week I brought out the Birds in a Nest Sorting Set to play with. There was a lot of very dramatic play as birds ended up in the wrong nest and quarreled over which family they were going to live with. I never knew birds lived with so much drama! 

We also played with playdough and enjoyed some art activities. Recently I've been seeing a quite a few robots created. I love watching this creativity blossom.

We did work in workbooks this morning but cut our time a little short in favor of heading outside.

We got well over two hours of outside time today. Some this morning and then more this afternoon. The baby loved riding all around the yard in stroller. All that sightseeing wore her out and she fell asleep just before it was time to come inside.

And here is something I've been thinking about the last couple days that I decided to share.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I love these verses! Our heavenly Father sees our pain and troubles and comforts us. He comforts in ALL our troubles. There is no pain that He turns away from. To comfort someone I first have to see and acknowledge the other person's pain and discomfort. And sometimes that is difficult for me because there is certain amount of discomfort for myself as I become aware of the unpleasant feelings of someone else. But God does not do that. He enters into our own pain, He feels along with us the sorrow and sadness we experience. And He comforts. I remember a time when I was experiencing extreme emotional pain and each night when I would lie down to sleep it was as if He took me in His arms and just held me through the night. It was one of the most comforting experiences I have ever had. He did not turn away from me in my pain, but, instead, comforted and strengthened me. 

Then, having experienced His comfort He asks us too extend that same comfort to those in our lives who are experiencing trouble. Knowing that God Himself does not turn away from pain and sorrow, and having experienced the comfort He has so freely given, it is a privilege to extend that same blessing to those around us. To enter into those moments of pain, to walk alongside, to simply be present, is to offer the same comfort we have been given.