Shortly after my daughter moved out on her own I got the following phone call:

“Hi Mom! I have an important question.”

“Hey honey, what’s up?”

“I need you to tell me how you make rice, butter, sugar, milk!”

“What?”

“I really need some comfort food and I don’t know how to make it like you do. I don’t even know what’s in it.”

(Me…trying really hard to keep a straight face – even over the phone…)

“Sure! So, first you make rice.”

“Wait a minute…I’m writing it down…ok, rice. Then what?”

“Then you add some butter…and then some sugar…and then some…..milk.”

(Exactly 4 seconds of silence before she realizes what she asked and we both laugh hysterically…) *Kelsey would also like it known that both she and Brett wondered about this “recipe” on more than one occasion…

“Rice, butter, sugar, milk” (which is literally what we call it) was a treat when the kids were growing up (and, I guess still is!) and it’s a warm, cozy food blanket when you need a bit of culinary comfort.

Here we are….smack dab in the middle of Holy Week, so naturally I’m thinking about comfort food!? Well, actually, yeh….or maybe just comfort in general.

This is sometimes referred to as  Silent Wednesday because unlike the other days this week, not a single one of the gospel writers give an account of what Jesus actually did today. No teaching, no religious leader chiding, no stories about the kingdom of God – but it’s not difficult to string together a few context clues to give us a pretty good idea. We know that the night before Wednesday, he returned to Bethany, where he’d been staying. We know that his good friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived in Bethany, so it would make sense for him to be set up in a guest room there. We know that there would have been preparations being made for the annual passover feast, and even though there isn’t much we can know for sure, I think it’s fair to imagine Jesus had a lot on his mind…

Wednesday is the last day of anything resembling normal for Jesus. Tomorrow will begin a rapid series of events that will bring last words of love and instruction for his disciples, the sting of betrayal, loss of freedom, untrue accusations, rejection by his own community, pain, suffering and finally crucifixion. It all starts tomorrow, so I know what I’d be doing today….I’d be seeking comfort. And I’d find it through helping with ritual preparations for the traditional meal I had been taught as a child and had shared with others every single year of my life. I’d be looking around the room at my friends who had been like family to me, providing much more than a place to stay – but a place that felt like home. I’d take a long walk and soak up the peace and beauty of creation. I’d try to stretch this day out as long as I possibly could…

I guess if I were Jesus (and I understand that’s a stretch!) I’d be tightening the circle, trying to fix my mind on the comfort of traditions, of close friends and family, of familiar surroundings, and reflecting on this epic, 33-year adventure as a man, and savoring these last moments of comfort.

It’s OK to seek comfort – more than OK – in fact, we need it, especially in these strange times where so much is uncertain.  So as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, let’s also remember to enjoy the comfort of faith, of family and friends, of home and maybe even your own version of comfort food – I highly recommend a steamy bowl of “rice, butter, sugar, milk!”

One of the places I find comfort is right here….with you. (Even though I’m perpetually a day or two behind!) So, thank you, friends for being here, and for all you are doing in your corners of the world to shine brightly in the darkness!

See you tomorrow,

Shellie ♥

Nobody Loves Me Like You

Chris Tomlin

Morning, I see You in the sunrise every morning
It’s like a picture that You’ve painted for me
A love letter in the sky
Story, I could’ve had a really different story
But You came down from heaven to restore me
Forever saved my life
Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You
Mountains, You’re breaking down the weight of all my mountains
Even when it feels like I’m surrounded
You never leave my side, oh oh oh
Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You
Oh, what a song to sing
Oh, what a song to sing
Oh, what a song to sing
Oh, what a song (my heart keeps singing)
Oh, what a song to sing (what a song)
Oh, what a song to sing (I’ll never stop)
Oh, what a song to sing
Jesus, You love me
And I love You, God
Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, I will worship You, forever worship You
Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You
Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus (I’m a child of God)
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways (yes, I am)
Nobody loves me like You
Nobody loves me like You

Songwriters: Scott Cash / Ed Cash
Nobody Loves Me Like You lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group