October 17, 2008
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Comfort…………things
I have been contemplating comfort things lately. Perhaps it is the cold weather that has finally jelled my thoughts or maybe the gloomy, rainy sight outdoors has prompted the more contemplative side of me to come out of hiding and come to the fore as it were. Anyway, this is not going to be long and profound like the tomes of my son, PG OBrien, because I am not the sage that he claims to be. But I think that the thoughts that I have been thinking bear writing down if only for my own sake and not for the sake of others. Be forwarned that they do go together, barely, but it will be difficult to find the coherancy.
I have been teaching a class of fifth graders about the sacraments. Let me say that it is a distinct pleasure to teach kids who can read after years of teaching kindergarten. Anyway, we have been learning about the sacraments and I taught them about the matter and form of the sacraments and how God gave us this matter and form because he made us human and we need to have some kind of visible substance in order to “see” what is happening when a sacrament is administered. For instance, when a child is baptised we pour water, the matter, on the childs head and say, the form, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. All of this brings about a rebirth into the life of the spirit, the soul is cleansed of original sin, and the child is filled with sanctifying grace. We believe that these supernatural things are happening but being natural beings we need to have a handle on something natural to do or see to go along with the supernatural to help our faith along. God made us this way and it is okay.
Anyway, these to me are a type of comfort things. It is something that God gives us to let us know that he is working in the sacraments. Just like when we look out and see a sunset or the rain or whatever, we know that he is working in the world and is keeping it running.
Now, in between classes I am always running the material from the previous class and the next class through my head so that I can make the transition from one to the other as seemless as possible. (here is where the barely visible thread of connection comes in) A dear friend called this week and let me know that her sister who had just announced that she was pregnant is now losing the baby, would I pray for her and the family. My immediate response was to think of what else I could do for them. Now I have a slight reputation around her as a person who cooks for everyone and anyone who needs a meal. So I fired up the stove and baked a cake, made bread, and chicken noodle soup. Then I called Ellen back and made sure that her sister would be home so that I could deliver the food. Ellen made a comment that got me to thinking even more. She said that what I made was the perfect comfort food for such an occasion. That it would be just the uncomplicated thing to help make the family feel loved and comforted.
Loved and comforted. Isn’t that what we all seek? Every morning I get up, now that the days are getting colder, I come downstairs and I make a fire in the woodstove. Then I pull my rocking chair up close, put my bare feet up on the fender and have a heart to heart with God before the day officially gets started. Loved and comforted is how I always start my day. Sometimes when it is really cold, I don’t even have to start the fire myself, my husband has it going for me before he has left for work. I come down to a warm house. Love and comfort fill this house.
I think of all the things that I see when I go to the store. I just recently made one of my scouting forays to WalMart. Periodically I go just to see what is there. Don’t buy anything just look. All of the things. They are all, to a degree, just comfort things. Made and sold to supposedly make someone happy. They cannot do it but they sure try.
There used to be a song when I was growing up, don’t remember the artist or the title all I remember is one line and a snatch of the tune “simple pleasures are the best, are the best in all the world”
So, here I sit with my feet on the fender of the stove, in the dark, with my thoughts around me and the memory of my loving husband who built the fire this morning. The promise of a sunrise yet to come and I know, I don’t have to believe, that simple pleasures are the best and that the things that comfort are those that are uncomplicated and are made and given with love.
Comments (11)
Now you have me thinking…what things comfort me? My mother’s rosary, which belonged to her mother before… the feel of it in my hand is enough on many a dark night… the act of cooking (maybe not a “thing” but it comforts me), certain smells and sounds… guess I’m a bit of an uncomplicated soul…
@MlleRobillard - and what is wrong with that? My husband claims that I am simple. Simple things please me. When we were courting he would pick a few violets from the field where he happened to be fixing fence and bring them to me. My favorite flowers. Not roses or orchids but violets that grow in the fields in the spring. I can see the same movies over and over and still enjoy them. Taking a walk in the forest or in the hills. All of these are simple pleasures that I enjoy. Uncomplicated is good. I think that it harkens to the line from the bilble in some way “unless you become like a little child you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”. My husband says also that my faith is simple also. I just believe. I do not require explanation although I know and understand the teachings of the church, I do not require them to believe. Perhaps that is why I seem to like you so much, we are both uncomplicated.
Your ‘simple’ description of yourself sounds a lot like me, especially when it comes to faith. If the Church says something, I believe. I only learn about the explanation so as to enlighten others who need one. I love your post – simple ponderings always get me thinking.
This post is wonderful. It makes me want to curl up with my kids and look at the world through their eyes. Everything is so much better that way.
Beautiful thoughts to start the day. You sound like a terrific teacher for that class of 5th graders!
@nettieheidmann - Thank you for the compliment. I am sometimes accused of being a bit eccentric when I teach and more than a little bit unorthodox. But the kids do learn and more important than what I teach them, they know without a doubt that I love them unconditionally. When we were fostering my husband would tell people that as soon as I heard that we would have a child coming that I loved it as if it was mine. It didn’t matter what color, sex or if there was anything wrong or not. The same is true of my class. When we have a beginning of the year teachers meeting the other teachers like to tell the next grade teacher what the class was like for them. I personally don’t like to hear it. I am different so I naturally assume that they will all be different for me.
@JMHardens060703 - Maybe that is why I have no intention of growing up. Growing old I have no control over but growing up I do. I am the biggest kid in the house, and I don’t plan on changing any time soon.
Sageness. You’ve got your share. And I do not claim to be a sage. I claim nothing. It is not mine to claim.
@P_Obrien - Methinks you protesteth too much, in the famous words of the bard. How’s it going? Speaking of sagacity, I miss your pronouncments and prognostications. You know, your wiseness. You are studying too hard and not thinking hard enough. When are you going to get to come home and split some wood and eat some food?
Eccentric and unorthodox the two best ways to teach (particuarly things of the faith). Yuu have more than enough sageness (which is where pg gets it) to bring posts that encourage me. We have traditions in family and faith because of the comfort they offer. May you find comfort in the everyday.
@standingonthepromises - I do indeed. Now as they leave the nest we all do find comfort in the traditional and familiar. I think that is what God gives us tradition for, both in family life and in practices of faith, so that we will come home to what is familiar and loving.