VOD: Gracious Words

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Proverbs 16:24 NIV

http://bible.com/111/pro.16.24.niv

Recently, I took a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area to visit family, namely cousins with whom we grew up and spent many a summer. 

I recalled fondest memories of learning to swim, dancing, playing games and laughing very loudly and enjoying each other's company.

Through the years we've always kept in touch and stayed connected via social media, email and text messages (what would we do without our electronic devices?), even meeting new cousins and getting along as though we've known each other for decades!

One thing is for certain that no matter how many weeks, months or years go by before reconnecting again or seeing each other face-to-face, the exchange of endearing terms, words of encouragement and accolades for one's accomplishments are ALWAYS spoken with the deepest sincerity. We truly TRULY love each other very much. 

This trip was packed with healing power for me so desperately needed from the minute we stepped foot off the plane to the rapid-fire barrage of play-by-play text messages received from our cousins who were on their way to the airport to collect us all. When at last we reunited, the heartfelt welcome greetings and hugs met our eager countenances!

Reminiscing through childhood memories, experiencing new adventures and creating memorable moments today (and this is just Day 1 of our mini-vacation) were just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. 

The take away for me today: the spoken gracious words from my cousins and my aunt were so heartwarming, just as the Bible says, were like "...honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Therapeutic. Serenity. Comforting. Healing.

May we always speak kindness to one another and give willingly from the heart, just as God has done for us with His Son.

May you ever be blessed where God meets you.

VOD: God is Faithful

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV

http://bible.com/111/2th.3.3.niv

There's a saying I tell the kids and it goes something like this: "Your 'ewww' could be somebody else's 'yum." Think about that for a second. I'll wait.

The same applies to your trials and tribulations, your vices, your temptations and your evils.

What could be easy-peasy, walking-on-easy-street could be another's struggles and pitfalls.

What I experience today as an obstacle in my life, could be a triumph in another's journey. 

Whether you're facing a road block, a fork in the road, a detour or a rerouting, no matter how small the utterance or how loud the pondering, staying steadfast in prayer shows the most immeasurable of faith we have in God that He will carry us through to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Even if our puny minds cannot fathom it now, God knits our lives the way He sees fit and these set backs are just snags in our fabric that only He can mend. 

It is my hope this rings true in your life as it does mine.

May you ever be blessed where God meets you.