If you've been around here for any time at all, you know that I believe that God is speaking to us all the time, in everyday normal moments. If you're new to the "Wait-ers"—WELCOME!—I believe that you too are not here by accident and can hear God's voice as you pause to hear Him speak.
Today's pause came for me at breakfast.
I was making a little yogurt parfait - nothing fancy - yogurt, granola, berries, and honey. I pulled a jar of honey out of the cabinet that was given to me by a friend. She had collected it from the hives she tends, taken the time to pour it into jars, and give it away. A jar of honey—nature turned into nourishment—representing time and the wonder-work of God's creation. It also is an object lesson mirroring her heart. Purposeful generosity and thoughtfulness. Kindness in a jar. So precious.
It was when I was adding the honey to the top of the parfait that the Lord began to speak to me. I was reminded of a verse in Proverbs. Chapter 16, verse 24 says,
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
I was watching the honey slowly pour out of the jar and cover the berries. It seeped into every nook and cranny and instantly became integrated with the other ingredients. It wasn't the main attraction of the meal but it made the final product so much better!
In the book I talk about the process of going SLOW (Stop, Listen, Observe, Wait) to hear God's voice. I had made the effort to stop and listen and now it was time to observe. Here's what I saw: the honey was clear, moving slowly, and was beneficial—and so should our words be.
✨ Clear - because articulating encouragement to someone should not leave them feeling confused. A kind, pleasing word to someone should build them up and be easy to digest.
✨ Slow - because our words should be thoughtful and measured. A teaspoon of honey dripped on a parfait is wonderful. A gallon gushing out would not be. Sometimes a few well-placed words are better than a monologue.
✨ Beneficial - because the things we say matter. We never know the impact of our words on the lives of others. We should leave people better than we found them.
And so, now we wait to hear what He wants to say to us. Today, it's honey. Tomorrow, I'm sure it will be something else - let's be found listening.
How We Wait Today:
So today, as you're going about your everyday, normal life, be sensitive to where God might want you to "see it, say it" ... If you see something great in someone, take a moment to say it and build them up. If you see someone struggling, take a moment and ask God how you might could encourage them with words, sweet like honey. Fellow Wait-er, He's always speaking - even at breakfast.
Much love,
✨ -TB
Other verses that might be helpful:
Psalm 141:3
Ephesians 4:29
James 3
Psalm 19:14
Colossians 4:6