My hands stung and my arms ached from clapping so hard and so long. My blouse was dotted with mascara-colored tears as I finally took my seat again and I was not alone in my emotional response.
Everyone present at the Quilts of Valor presentation in Blairsville, Georgia where I was privileged to speak last week had spontaneously risen to their feet with thunderous applause as two exquisitely handmade, red, white and blue quilts were wrapped around the shoulders of a veteran couple.
Why? Most certainly in honor of the husband and wife standing before us who have been touched by war in service to our country, and also as an act of appreciation for the creators of the fabric works of art but also, I believe, for another less obvious reason. We all hurt sometimes and as we offer comfort to others we too are comforted.
As we offer comfort to others – we too are comforted.
There is a verse in the Bible that expresses this perfectly. It is found in the opening words of the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. “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.”
I pray you will feel the comfort of God’s love surrounding you this week and will find a way to pass it on to someone else. Click here to learn more about Quilts of Valor http://www.qovf.org/
