Words of Beauty…

Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

As the day winds to a close, I am thinking back on all the sweet moments and also the reminder I had today of a something I take for granted.

It was a beautiful day weather-wise, sunny, mild temperatures as we headed out to church.  I had my entire family with me, which is a joy I don’t take for granted.  My older son used to call it “all together time” when he was young….and now that they are older and more independent, I really treasure our “all together time” even more. Indeed, it is one of the things I don’t take for granted or forget to give thanks for.

The music was beautiful, as always . We sang the song “Because He Lives,” which brings back special memories of my grandmother.  The sermon was meaningful, as always….but what I have gone back to in my mind all day was not the sermon, or the music, but something said off-stage.  

A dear widow sits in front of us and we have gotten to know her over the past two years just because of sitting near her.  Like most church-goers, we all like our ‘assigned seats’ and get to know those in close proximity.  She is usually chatty, and today was no exception, but in her greetings she paused and said “my son came over today, and he told me I looked pretty.”  The way she said it,  I could tell this small compliment meant more to her than her words portrayed.  I affirmed that she did indeed look pretty, and I realized being a widow, living alone, compliments were not something she heard often.  It was so obvious those words of beauty brought her immeasurable joy and reminded me of just how important words of beauty are, to all of us.

How often I take compliments or encouraging words for granted from the ones I love.  I am surrounded by an affectionate family and words of love on a daily basis.  It has reminded me to treasure even the smallest words of affirmation, realizing that some hear it much, much less than their hearts desire or need. Hopefully, because of today, I’ll be more mindful of those around, who, for whatever reason, desperately need to hear beautiful words spoken into their lives.  God Bless.

∼Jen