I own two vintage leftover Corelle plates in the 1970s pattern of my childhood growing up years - “Crazy Daisy Spring Blossom Green”. I have on occasion, also used these plates in my adult years, mostly when recovering from a winter virus… the times that call for easy-on-the-stomach-comfort foods like mashed potatoes, white rice, honey toast, or scrambled eggs. It’s not just the food, but also the plates themselves that have always been a part of the comforting factor. I’ve even had my dinner on one of these plates at times when I’ve simply been emotionally drained and was feeling in need of a little extra TLC
On Christmas Eve this year, I came across an article warning the general public that vintage Corelle plates should no longer be used for eating purposes because the protective finish becomes worn over time, exposing the paint used on the plate’s pattern. That paint has been found to contain unsafe levels of lead that may leach into the food that comes in contact with it. After reading the article, I reluctantly removed the two plates from my kitchen cupboard, and retired them to a place of honor on my dining room hutch. I felt sad that this meant my longtime comfort habit was being retired, as well.
It’s funny how something familiar that gives a person an emotional feeling of comfort, can turn out to be just an illusion of safety and security. Those childhood plates that had been bringing me present comfort, could in reality harm me. Had I used those plates constantly, rather than just for brief periods of life respite, I could have experienced lead poisoning.
Comfort distracts a person from what’s making them feel un-comfortable. Comfort can bring a person to rest in a place where things don’t change and where easy habit overshadows thought-filled examination. However, resting in that comfort for too long can lull us into believing that it’s better to sit back and feel good than it is to deal with the stress of change. The truth is, that good feeling is not lasting. As long as our circumstances stay the same, we will continue to be surrounded by the stress or misery that first caused us to seek out the insulating comfort to wrap ourselves in, to hide ourselves in. Eventually, we realize that most of our comfort measures are a temporary fix, and to become unstuck, we need to continue to move forward through the thing we were avoiding.
Moving through difficulty changes us. It forces us to adjust to new circumstances. When we adjust, we change. Change is essential to growth, and growth is what moves us forward into good things ahead. It hurts sometimes to leave old situations, and maybe even relationships we were once so connected to, behind. But there is also the promise of joy ahead. God tells us that He is our ultimate comfort. He is the only comfort that can go with us and grow with us. Even when the circumstances we are in seem unbearable, He is with us, guiding us towards something good.
On Christmas Day, following the night my comfort plates were retired, I gathered with my kids at my first-born son’s house for our traditional holiday dinner of Nachos Navidad followed by the exchanging of gifts. My heart was filled with quiet jubilation when I opened a small box from my second-born son and daughter-in-law. In it I found a necklace with a charm they had carefully crafted from a piece of a Corelle plate with my precious “crazy daisy” pattern on it. With this necklace, I am able to wear a piece of comfort around my neck - like a loving hug from some of the people I love best, like a loving reminder of my Ultimate Comforter who goes with me through the uncomfortable things towards the better things ahead, like a loving symbol telling me hope is a living thing that exists in the process of change.
This season has been a difficult one, a confusing one, and an emotional one that has caused upheaval of some situations near me that were in desperate need of change. The upheaval has left me personally on a tumultuous path, one that I fervently have been seeking comfort on as I struggle to find my way forward. At times I feel very alone, conflicted about the direction I am supposed to take. Yet, every time I have huddled down seeking comfort and escape, God sends another person along to encourage me and help me take a few more steps forward. He is giving me hope that change is coming as I walk through this situation that continually threatens to overwhelm me with fear and anger and sadness. He is showing me once again that broken hearts can still feel love and joy. He is showing me that there are people all around me, that I am not alone. And He is protecting my sliver of faith that there is indeed, something good far ahead when all I can see right now is something awful.
As Psalm 23 says, even when I walk through the darkest valley, God is with me. He is shepherding me. He is my protection and my comfort. Amen.
”All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.“
2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.3.NLT
”I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”“
John 16:33 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.16.33.NLT
”See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.“
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.43.19.NIV
”I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.“
Romans 8:18 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.8.18.NIV
”…But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.“
Romans 8:24a-25 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.8.25.NIV
