Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, it’s time to dig out the comforters tucked away when summer arrived; we’ll fluff them up, air them out and put them on the beds so that we’ll be nice and warm and comfortable.

When we were kids at home, Mom made comforters; she pieced tops into lovely designs. Sometimes she used a pattern; sometimes she’d just sew material pieces together.

Daddy made a quilting frame consisting of four one-by-fours on which he tacked narrow canvas strips. These four wooden boards were then placed over four dining room chairs in a rectangle, the size of Mom’s quilt, secured with C clamps. Then Mom would pin the stretched backing of the quilt to the narrow canvas strips, then placed on the batting; next layer, the colorful top that she’d pieced. Once these three layers were taut and securely fastened, Daddy would help roll the project and screw down the four C clamps holding it all together. Tying or quilting could begin. Mom favored tying quilts, especially baby blankets. These lovely quilts were cozy and were made to comfort the recipient. Mom didn’t work alone, three daughters helped as long as they were home. Once Mom and Dad moved into town, Mom and her church ladies had many grand quilting parties.

Several favorite verses on comfort are found in Your word, Lord: Psalm 23:4b, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” And in 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4: “the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, be the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Lest we forget, You love us all, Lord, each one of us is important; You want everyone to come to You; what a comfort to know You love us so.

Love, Mara