Comfort ye, comfort ye my people!

There are some words and phrases that, for me, are simply uplifting.  And some images that almost cannot help but make me smile.  

Hope.  Sunlight sparkling on water.  To hear my father say, “Well done”.  Peace.  Hot bread fresh from the oven.  A sip of good red wine.  Clean.  Warm.  Safe.  An ice cold drink of water.  Friends.  Family.  Mom’s blueberry muffins.  Campfire.  Pine tree.  Harmony.  To hear my children gathered around the dinner table, saying the family Grace.  It’s all right.  Laughter.  Summer.  Christmas.  Forgiven.  Risen.  Easter.  Thank you.  Allelujah!  Amen.

Hearing “Welcome home” especially after a time away.  I remember when my kids were little and when I came home from work, they would run to meet me at the door.  “Daddy’s home!”  And they’d throw their arms around me.  

“I love you.”

What is on your list?  I’ll bet a lot of the same things.  There is a scene in an old MASH episode where Colonel Blake is playing with a Korean kid who speaks no English and Radar says to him, “Good thing you know how to smile in Korean!”  

I think there is a basic human need to be loved and accepted for who we are.  Ken Follett wrote that marriage is having someone who is always on your side.  And yet, we must not remain who we are today.  We want to be encouraged to grow, to rise to a challenge, like starting something new, mastering a musical instrument, running a marathon or climbing a mountain.   

Years ago, I read a book on near-death experiences.  While there was no universal experience, one common one was going through a dark tunnel to a bright light, watching their life pass before their eyes and the light asked two questions:  “What did you learn?” and “How did you love?”  I like that.  

Dennis Prager wrote in his exposition on the book of Numbers that, when a rabbi recites this prayer that follows here, he is to take off his shoes, for he is thought to be standing on Holy Ground, and the people hearing it should avert their eyes to the real presence of God.  

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).”