May #jammed: Growing Grace.

Day 147: Ashamed.

“…wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future…”Proverbs 24:13-14

My dog’s saving grace is her puppy face. Those eyes look sad and sorry. Her ears are droopy and pouty. She is a pathetic apology lying on top of my feet, looking up at me for forgiveness. It works. I love that dog. Any sign of apology earns my forgiveness …and probably a sweet little puppy cuddle and warm feet for the rest of the day.

If my dog knows when she’s in trouble that automatically, and knows how to get out of it that skillfully …imagine what my daughters do to my heart. The disciplinary struggle is real.

“wisdom is like honey for you…” the NIV version translates. “It nourishes and brings healing”- NIV Notes

When we look out for others in kindness and compassion, and act on the thoughts He inspires in our hearts …it is healing. Apology and humility are healing. When we act in wisdom by following Him, we experience the peace of Christ.

There is a funny sentiment amidst the study on this verse that is part of the thirty sayings:

“possibly copied here in error as it makes an unusual (three-lined) saying, and does not add to the idea of future.” -Zondervan Bible Commentary

Some of these sayings have been hard for me to digest, and have drug out difficult words that I didn’t feel like writing and fears and didn’t expect to face. But isn’t this verse just a reflection of God’s character. Maybe mistakenly included …but I bet not. Because He is not a God of mistakes …He is pretty funny, though. And He would stop to talk about honey and healing in the middle of a rough patch of text on wisdom.

He is the honey that nourishes and heals us. His Word, in perfect timing, binds up our bruised egos and chips off hard parts of our hearts. It hurts a little sometimes, this life and the pursuit of holiness …but it is healing …nourishing …and life lived with hope.

Father, Praise You for honey and healing. Thank You for nourishing our soul and keeping us humble and dependent upon You. Forgive us for holding onto hard parts of our hearts, and help us to grow continually into a heart more like Jesus’. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Growing,

Megs

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