Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 NIV
https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-4
Today’s verse was, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
It’s been a rough road as I anticipated this day; today is my son’s earthly birthday. I’ve always heard stories about butterflies, but I never had a visitation from a butterfly. I’m not saying they are false because now I realize God can use anything or anyone to comfort us in our time of mourning.
Lately, God has been comforting me through little children at separate times who don’t know about my loss.
For example, last week, a student at the school where I work got frustrated when I walked into his class. I sat away from him and kept my distance; everyone knows I am a special ed assistant, so I observe and am there for support if needed. After watching his behavior, I needed to step in and assist him; he was overwhelmed with his work, so I sat next to him to help with his notes.
Afterward, He was happy to get caught up, and I told him I would leave because I saw a couple of other students laughing; I didn’t want to embarrass him. He didn’t want me to go, so we worked on his notes together. He didn’t know I needed him to distract me from falling to pieces, but God knew how to comfort me.
Another instance was Sunday, while at Church. I usually sit alone in the back because I get panic attacks. Panic attacks are the residual effects. The nervous system remembers the trauma, and the fight-or-flight response is activated.
I don’t want to draw attention to myself because it gets worse.
When this happens, I know what to do. I self-soothe through breathing and grounding in Jesus.
Anyhow, a young man sat in front of me, and from behind, he resembled my son. Tears began to flow from my eyes, and at about that time, the pastor told everyone to greet one another. I wiped my eyes and walked over to my neighbors, a father, a mother, and their precious little girls, to shake their hands. When I knelt to shake one of their daughters’ hands, she instead stretched her arms and hugged me.
Oh, how Jesus knew I needed that hug, and He gave it to me through this precious little butterfly.
I planned to take this day off and stay home; I thought it would be a good idea to isolate. However, Jesus had a better plan.
Every morning, as I do my crosswalk duty, a student sees me from a distance, he smiles, and by the time he reaches me, I thank him for the morning smile. It is a good feeling when someone is happy to see you.
It is like God is saying,
“I see you, and I am delighted in you.”
We all hold priceless moments with our children as they grow up—things they may have said or done that touched our souls. We store them in the treasure chest deep in our hearts.
Like the first story of the teenager who got frustrated when he saw me walk in, he reminded me of my son when he got frustrated with me he would show his displeasure.
After I gave him space, he quickly discerned his actions and apologized. He couldn’t stay mad at me, and I couldn’t stay angry with my children for long. Love quickly repairs the damage. It does not bandage it with excuses, lies, or deception.
The little girl at Church didn’t know, but Jesus knew what I needed, and through her, He stretched out His arms and embraced me.
And lastly, though the day is not over, the little boy at the crosswalk invited me to attend his concert. I did show up.
Although we store these little endearments in our hearts, God knows how priceless they are, and He used these children as my butterflies to comfort me in ways He and I know no one else can claim.
Blessed are those who mourn, for the God of Comfort will comfort them. Times like these are hard, but the sting is lightened when God embraces us through the arms of others if we allow ourselves to feel and experience His unconditional Love. He knows the pain; He sent His only Son to die for us.
We are not alone in this, and as Christ rose again, so be it with our beloved when Christ returns.
