Comfort Items

Some students brought particular photos, music, journals, books, or food items to remind them/connect them with home and center themselves. For my comfort item, I brought Starbucks instant coffee, via. Though I can go a long time without good coffee, or coffee at all, I truly enjoy a good cup of coffee. Knowing that I have that when I want it feels really good.

I also have comfort passages in the Bible, that I often turn to in different situations. Things like 2 Samuel 2:22, Isaiah 41 and 62; Psalms 37 and 63, Ezekiel 34-36, Hosea, John 16, and, this morning, I turned to Revelation 21

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. Revelation 21: 1-6

Every time I read this, I learn something different. Today I was particularly struck by "I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts" There is something extra special reading this line in a country where it is essential to drink either filtered or bottled water, where it is indeed hot and dry. To know that we will always have what we need in Christ is incredibly re-assuring.