Luke 7: 33-34 — For John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ ³⁴ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (HCSB)

Revelation 21:4 –He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (ESV)

2 Corinthians 1:3 – He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us (NLT)

Lord, I’m drinking my coffee this morning and thinking of my sweet friend.  Today is her birthday, but it’s not a happy birthday because it is the first one since her mom went to be with You.  They had a yearly tradition of eating birthday cake and playing board games, just the two of them.  Not only will she miss her mom this year, but she will miss what would have definitely been a night of mom-made-cake and board games and laughing until they cried!  But, this year there won’t be any mom-made-cake, no board games, and my friend’s tears won’t be from laughter.  Lord, I believe You and my friend’s mom are sitting together right now, talking about the day my friend was born, remembering past birthday celebrations, and sharing a laugh or two.  I have no Bible verses to back that up, but I do have verses that tell about how You liked to hang out with Your friends and enjoy good food (Luke 7:33-34).  Personally, I believe if the word “glutton” came into play, there had to be cake and ice cream involved!  Lord, You understand that my friend misses the joy and comfort that her mother provided.  Mothers give comfort by giving us hugs, kissing our booboos, and making us birthday cakes.  The memories of those times of comfort are precious and will forever give a warm feeling and a smile and even maybe a tear.  2 Corinthians 1:3 tells us that You give us comfort.  Just as mom would give us comfort, You give us comfort when we come to You, and it is comfort beyond even the greatest comfort that a mom can offer.  Lord, You never promised that we wouldn’t be sad, but You promised Your comfort when we are hurting.  As believers, we know that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones and we will be with You.  What a wonderful time it will be when it is the one true God who wipes our tears, tells us there will never again be booboos, and everyday will be a celebration!!