January 27, 2019
How often do we say something, and then add the disclaimer: “Oh, I didn’t really mean that.” But Jesus said that we speak out of our hearts.
It makes sense then, to fill our hearts with what is good, so the “verbal spill-over” is good. There are many beautiful blessings in the Bible. One of them, that I memorized years ago, I still use to write- or say out loud- to someone:
The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26 RSV)
In our daily lives it’s hard to avoid a cacophony of angry, whining, negative voices. So why would we hesitate to push past our comfort zones and make the effort to say these beautiful words to someone? I dare you to do it this week! (Well, at least send someone a card with this blessing. Then next week…)
PS: One of daughters says that I would repeat this blessing to her at bedtime. I don’t remember this, but Patricia Fripp says: “last words linger.”