On the Passing of Uncle Cecil Comer ....

The following article was written by and is posted with permission from my husband, Jack Comer Jr. ..... 

I had an uncle that passed away last week. He was my dad’s oldest brother and up to this point, was the “oldest living Comer.” He was a very devoted Christian, having served faithfully in several areas at the Bethel Baptist Church in Houston. But what I remembered most about Uncle Cecil, is that he was a POW during WWII. In fact, he was imprisoned at one of the most notorious German prison camps, Stalag 17.

Now my uncle didn’t talk much about his days as a POW, but I remember as a teen reading the letters that he sent to my grandparents. Most of them had information that was cut out, so you would be reading a letter that had several holes in it. One of the comments that I remember was how Cecil looked forward to the Red Cross packages that were sent. These packages included items like canned tuna, cheese, dehydrated milk, cigarettes, chocolate, liver paste and raisins. Now they were suppose to be receiving these packages every week, but according to sources the enemy would take these care packages and use them for themselves.

I share this story to you because I think it illustrates what is happening today. People today are in a prison. There is so much hopelessness and despair. And it is only through the red blood-stained cross that freedom can be found. As Christians we are the ones that are delivering a message of hope. But often the enemy steals the message before it even arrives. So we need to keep sending the message. Keep preaching the gospel. Keep ministering to people in need. Keep offering Christ to a dying world. With the understanding that one day, it will make a significant difference in one’s life.

Thanks uncle C. for serving our country! You and others like you, are already missed.

It is the Cry of My Heart

A Cure for Jealousy by Lysa TerKeurst

“Wow… look at her marriage.  They seem to have it so together.”
“She eats whatever she wants and never gains an ounce.  Must be nice.”
“Her outfits always look so snappy while I have a serious case of the frump.”
“I wish I had her job- her smarts- her income. Sigh.”

Whenever I get an overly idyllic view of someone else’s circumstances, I often remind myself out loud, “I am not equipped to handle what they have—both good and bad.”

When I want the good things someone has, I must realize that I’m also asking for the bad that comes along with it. It’s always a package deal. And usually if I just give a situation enough time to unfold, I thank God I didn’t get someone else’s package.

One of the first times I came to understand this truth was in middle school when I met a beautiful girl at the children’s theater in my town. We were both budding child actors cast in a Christmas play. During rehearsals I remember feeling envious that her long dancer’s legs could move in ways my stubby limbs never would. Her legs were muscular and lean and graceful; mine couldn’t be described with any of those adjectives.

One day she felt an unusual pain in her left leg. A doctor’s appointment turned into a battery of tests that turned into a hospital stay that turned into a diagnosis. Cancer. A surgery to remove a tumor turned into an amputation turned into a complete life change. Her world became filled with words no child should ever have to know: chemotherapy, prosthetics, hair loss, and walking canes.

As a young girl I was stunned by the whole thing. Especially because I clearly remember night after night watching her glide across stage and asking God for legs exactly like hers.

Of course not every situation is as dramatic as this one.  But, it’s a good life lesson.

I have learned that I am not equipped to handle what others have—both good and bad. I am, on the other hand, completely equipped to handle what I’ve been given.  And the more time I spend being thankful for my life, the less I look around wishing for something else.