Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. (Isaiah 50:10)

Recently we vacationed at Black Butte Ranch in the Cascades of Oregon. One evening I biked home with a couple family members and before we knew it, we were enveloped in darkness. The sunset had quickly faded, and we found ourselves deep in the woods barely seeing fifteen feet ahead as the ranch allows no street lights. We had to trust where we were going while seeing very little of the path. Unnerving.

As we were winding through the trees, up and down small hills, it occurred to me how much this ride was like life. How often we’re forced to simply keep moving even though our path is shrouded in darkness. During the ride, all I could do was go by what I did see and trust God for the rest. Hmmmm, gotta remember that—trust God for what you can’t see…

Welcome to Comfort Cafe, an ezine and resource center offering hope, help and healing for women.

The Internet Café

The Internet Café unites women of faith; unites women through the exhortation, edification and encouragement of each other through God’s guiding hand. We seek to unite women regardless of our stage of life or the signs that mark our church doors. Passionately we believe that through our written words we can support women on their own personal journey of faith, inspiring them to live as true disciples.

The devotionals are uplifting and never condemn. They are rooted in Scripture and offer reflections and prayers. Our purpose is to UNITE women of faith, encourage each other on life’s journey, and create an environment that is welcoming to each and every person who stops by for a “cup.” May you leave with a cup “brimming with blessings.” Psalm 23:5

*This blog was originally founded by Darlene Schacht and is associated with Christian Women Online Digital Magazine but it is now individually owned and operated by Lori Macmath and Amy Grant Bayliss.

Ruth’s Blog

Comfort Cafe’s editor, Ruth Wood, brings a personal connection to the site through her blog. Her latest post is: The Ride of My Life! See Ruth’s Blog.

Photography Blog

Deb Allen is the author of Creation Speaks—short devotionals illustrated by beautiful photos she’s taken of nature. Enjoy her latest posts at www.heartscribeforhim.com/CreationSpeaks1.htm.

Coffee Shop Concert—Kathleen Mikkelson

“Restoration” is a project designed to be an all piano “backdrop” to personal reflection. The base materials used are old hymns. It’s pure, meditative piano—traditional redone as a backdrop for personal worship today. Whether hymns are familiar friends or strangers to you the contemporary revisions here will restore you and calm you.
Coffee Shop Concert page.

In This Issue—Help for Coping with Chronic Illness

Articles

I had just received the third pink slip in two weeks from the lab that said my payment was passed due. Over three times I had called and my insurance company had assured me that the lab work was covered and that they would mail out a check that afternoon. This time, when I finally got a representative on the telephone, I was polite but firm.
Learning to be Assertive despite the Fatigue of Illness, by Lisa Copen

Joy. When was the last time you laughed until your side hurt from laughing… and not because of your typical aches and pains?
Looking for Joy in Life When You Live with a Chronic Illness or Daily Pain, by Lisa Copen

Jesus had a way of seeing what others missed and ministering to those who were forgotten, shunned, or misunderstood. He touched and healed lepers when everyone else scurried away…
Seeing Invisible Disabilities, by Dr. Douglas Groothuis

“I had been trying to find a reason for my pain and it finally was acknowledged as being something physical not mental.” Cindy goes on to explain, “It wasn’t until months later that I started getting short-tempered and frustrated, and I realized that I was angry about the diagnosis…
Can I Be Mad at God About My Illness? 3 Ways to Know, by Lisa Copen

If only God would explain His plan to me I would feel so much better,” shared Kathy. “It’s not that I don’t trust Him, but if I knew the reason for the pain, it would be so much easier to cope with.” Kathy’s not alone in her feelings. Pain without purpose threatens to deplete us of our joy, hope and sometimes even our trust in God.
Finding Purpose in the Pain: Living Successfully with Chronic Illness, by Lisa Copen

Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill, recently did a survey and asked people to “List some of the programs or resources a church could offer to make it more inviting comfortable.” They have provided a sampling of some of the 800+ responses, all of which could be done in 20 minutes or less.
Minister to the Chronically Ill: 20 Ways in 20 Minutes, by Lisa Copen

One of my favorite memories of being a young mother is a mental picture of the back of my two sons. Matched winter coats, lunch boxes in hand, walking down our street on their way to school.
Brothers for Life, by Marianne Miles, Miles to Go

More Resources for Coping with Chronic Illness

Help for the Hurting—Illness/Injury
Help for the Hurting—Chronic Fatigue
Help for the Hurting—Cancer
Chronic Illness in Marriage—by Focus on the Family
www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/facing_crisis/chronic_illness.aspx

Many more excellent articles by Lisa Copen, Director of Rest Ministries:
www.restministries.org/articles/list.htm

Coping With Chronic Illness—patients sharing their feelings
www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/copechron.pdf