Equip me

God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor. 1)

From the Verse of the Day prayer: "So please help me be more faithful to you as I seek to honor my commitments and pledges to you. I know this is important to you not only because I need to learn obedience, but I also need to develop a character more consistent with your own."

I think that last sentence is the clincher for me. I want to develop a character more consistent with God's. That is my end game here. When I doubt, when I wonder what is meant by "God comforts us," I must remember that I'm not just striving to believe in something for no good reason. I'm working towards developing my faith, because I want to be more patient, kind, understanding, self-controlled, and generous.

The sort of person who believes in God is this sort of kind, thoughtful, loving person. This is what belief leads to. Doubt only sends me sliding off to the side, mired in my own selfishness.

Lord, every day I wait for word from Katherine, but I remind myself that really what I wait for is a word from You. I wait patiently for the Lord. 

I pray for protection over my sweet children, and my husband. I pray that I will exhibit those qualities above when I'm at Lily's class party today. 

I pray for Dad, who seems to wander farther from You by the day. Lord, he is Yours. If I'm supposed to be more proactive about talking to him about this, please show me when, and give me the words. One day, something will happen, and he'll need spiritual comfort. Equip me, Lord.

In Your son's name I pray.

Amen