by Victoria Heinecke

A touch of sweet to enhance our lives.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.”
Psalm 59:16 ESV

Just after sunrise, this sea of sunflowers turned their petals to the sun’s rays. Although it was still the first minutes of dawn, there were bees gathering nectar from the flower heads. They’ll make honey from their day’s trove.

Honey is one of God’s miracles. Sucrose is the primary sugar found in the nectar of many flowers, and while we can create all sorts of sweeteners with sucrose, we cannot precisely replicate honey.

We sing songs about it, make wine from it, and add it to countless dishes to enhance their flavor in a way that is different from sugar. We sometimes use the word as an expression of affection. There is an old adage that you’ll catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

The book of Proverbs contains a trove of advice for living in harmony with God’s creation as well as the people around us. There are 31 chapters, and many people like reading one chapter a day, finishing the book in about a month.

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 English Standard Version

Just as the word “honey” can be used as a term of affection, let us remember to use a touch of honey to encourage those around us. Our words can lift others up, and it will nourish our souls as well.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 English Standard Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado