Like many children of my generation, part of the Saturday morning ritual included episodes of the Flintstones! My preference of characters however was not Fred or Barney. I was a fan of Bamm Bamm; especially his toddler episodes. I remember one episode where he tries to help Pebbles walk. He was stronger and more advanced than Pebbles. He carried a club and used it and his strength to protect his family and others from danger. How does Bamm Bamm fit within the faith factor? The Holy Spirit brought this cartoon character to my recollection as I searched for words to help a friend who was extremely depressed. God will often use uncomplicated experiences to reveal messages to me. This time it’s the adopted child of Betty and Barney Rubble.

A friend has been suffering. She is still in that dark grip of grief that tries to encompass us by blinding us to the presence of joy, trust and hope in spite of our loss. I knew that an onslaught of comforting words and texts fall on infertile ground when you hurt so badly. I had visited that street called “Grief” too often and understood. God then reminded me about Bamm Bamm, which connected me to the 23rd Psalm. He told me not to preach and not to reason, but to remind my grieving friend of the wonderous basics; The Lord is Her (My) Shepherd. David’s poetic song of our magnificent Shepherd declares that the Lord’s Shebat (rod) and Mishenah (staff)… they comfort me! The Lord uses His rod as a symbol of His sovereignty over every condition and situation. It is the symbol of His authority. He uses His staff to hold me, to defend me and to deliver me. In my grieving and yours, remember that He will help us to walk through, within and in spite of our loneliness, regret, sorrow or fear.

Psalm 23:4 “…for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me…”