Comfortable

There have been certain "special" words my kids have used as their language skills have grown and developed.  These words were unique because they were non-sense, or mis-pronounced words that meant nothing unless interpreted correctly.  Some of my favorites include "Waulkie" for water, "Obo!" for open, "Awpum Back Tuck" for awesome black truck, and "Mope" for milk.  Try has we did (and we really didn't try all that hard because they were so cute), we could not correct the pronunciation of these words.  I remember with my daughter that I would say to her, "Waaaaterrrr" and she would reply and repeat "Waaaaaulkiiieeee".  So cute!

Drew in his "comf-terble"

Most of these words or phrases have gone by the wayside as our kids have grown and developed into verbally "gifted" (sometimes to the exhaustion of their parents) children.  However, recently my youngest who just turned 5 was helping his mom make his bed one morning.  It was time for the comforter to go in it's place. Drew said to his Mom, "I'll get my 'comf-terble', Mom!" She tried to correct him ... "Comforter", and he said "right, comf-terble."  Love It!

Drew's version of the word, "comfortable," got me thinking.  I have been experiencing some dis-comfort lately for a couple of reasons.  I went through a minor surgical procedure two weeks ago, and as I sat with my bag of peas recovering, I felt the true nature of healing.  It is uncomfortable.  Over time, I gained strength and started becoming more active, which helped me realize that I needed to once again commit to an exercise and eating plan in order to regain balance in my health life.  So I started working-out again this week, and I am completely sore from head to toe. I'm uncomfortable.

Everything in me demands that I go get my "comfortable!" ...Except Jesus!!!  As a follower of Jesus Christ, am I supposed to be comfortable or uncomfortable?

Consider what Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 16:24-27.

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?  ESV

• Leave what you know and what is comfortable, and step out in faith after Jesus.
• Deny your selfish needs, desires, and ambitions. 
• Take on humility and recognize you're broken and in need of healing.
• Work out your salvation by loving others to grow and produce fruit.
• Pick up your cross and follow your Savior to the point of death.  “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” ~Bonhoeffer 

Jesus has called me to pick up my cross-- not my comfortable-- and follow Him completely!