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Lucky-the-Clothy is a long strip of green gingham fabric from the fifties, a random piece of cloth a neighbour once gave me. It got its name when my friend, Penny, and I used it to tie our legs together for a three-legged race, when we were both eleven years old. We won the race!
Lucky-the-Clothy has lasted 67 more years so far, as at some point I improved its durability by hemming the long strip.
Over the years, Lucky-the-Clothy became a headache soother in our family. My mother would rub fiery Tiger Balm on my forehead and wrap the green cloth around my head. These days, Lucky also comforts when it is used as a sling to hold a warm wheat bag in place to soothe aching back muscles. A simple strip of fabric has become a symbol of care and comfort.
My grandson had a Baba, a beloved baby blanket. It used to be blue, but then it turned more grey. He loved to hold it near his face and smell that comforting smell of mother and home. What consternation when Baba was temporarily mislaid!
Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.” (John 14:16-18 AMPC)
The Comforter, who goes by a variety of names, is the Holy Spirit. Unlike a strip of cloth or a blanket, He will never get lost or leave us. Before He went back to heaven, Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b NLT) This is possible, throughout the ages, through the Holy Spirit, who lives within anyone who embraces Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
The Comforter. The word sounds like a warm cuddly blanket, a destresser when we need it. But the Comforter is so much better than an inanimate object! He is a person! Our Comforter will never leave us, will never get lost, nor misplaced. We can talk to the Holy Spirit at any time, anywhere, because we can count absolutely on God’s promises.
Is there something you are taking comfort in when things get tough? You don't have to!
We have a much better Comforter available to us, the Holy Spirit. Let's take comfort in Him.
Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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