“Ears that hear and eyes that see – the Lord has made them both.” Vs 12

Thanks be to God for our ears that hear the beautiful sounds and see the wonderment in this world! Thanks be to God for all of these to see and hear!

This verse blesses my heart and I feel grateful and thankful for this verse and the truth that it holds. Today, I am so very thankful for God creating me and continuing to create me anew. I am thankful for God’s glorious creation around me. And as a mother, I am thankful for the creation that is made within me. Those little ears that hear, those little eyes that see, the little mind that processes and grows from it all.

May God bless our surroundings with beauty and grace. May God bless our eyes and ears as they affect our hearts and minds.

I really like verse 21:

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

It is very similar to Day 16: Making Plans.

The other verse that speaks to me in this chapter is vs 11:

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

This verse reminds me of the wisdom my dad has been trying to teach me for over a decade or so. In this world, it is easy to get offended. There are many things that are not right or just. There are many little things that I want to raise my voice, fight, and fix. However, there are many things that are not fixed with yelling, arguing, pushing, pulling, or fighting. In fact, these can make the problem worse.

So my dad tells me to hold my tongue and be patient. Sometimes it is better to walk away, move on, do something better than focus and give so much attention to that little offense. Sometimes it’s better to focus on the good things so that they grow and prosper with love and attention and let the other things starve, dwindle, and fade away. And then use that voice, fighting, and fixing for the big things that need it…and having the wisdom to know the difference. After all, often times we can’t see the big picture for God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His way are higher than our ways. God’s purpose might not be revealed as immediately as we think it should, but God’s purpose will prevail.

“One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” vs 9

I find this verse both true and terrifying because it is true. Confession: I have and do slack off.

I said it and it’s true even though I wish I could put 100% into all that I do, or even at least have that intention.

I have found that there is wisdom in putting more dedication in some projects, and that other projects may not need quite as much dedication and work. Then there are those projects that I was not so wise in deciphering the work and dedication needed…that wound up worse off than if I never even started the project because I slacked or cut corners.

This verse really convicts me to have more wisdom in the extent of my commitments and the wisdom in how to care for each commitment sufficiently and uniquely…starting with the commitments already before me…one day at a time.

With all of the medical knowledge I have learned and continue to learn, and with all the hands held, prayers spoken, and emotions shared as family, friend, and fellow human being, this verse continues to be a strong and very important reminder to me in all that I do:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” vs 22

No matter the advances in medicine and technology, I find none of them can quite take the place of having a good home, a healthy diet and lifestyle, and a cheerful attitude and spirit.

We are in the time of life of a lot plans and dreams (with the experience of a few doing well and a few not really working out as planned). As we make plans, these two verses have been very true for us.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” vs 3

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” vs 9

I have learned that it is great and admirable to have goals, but God works out the details. I have also learned to not be so startled when those details do not line up with my idea of details. In my experience, God’s intricate little details work out better than what I could even imagine.

For the past few years, my husband and I have been dreaming…dreaming of our “grown-up” home in a nice neighborhood with a lovely yard and rooms for our children and eventual grandchildren. We even dream of a mudroom, a dishwasher (other than ourselves), and being able to decorate with lovely little aspects of holiday décor and flowers.

We dream of a taller vehicle for me that makes it easier to climb in and out of the vehicle with added leg room for our children in the future.

We dream of being out of debt and not having to be quite so strict on our budget challenge.

Then there are those days in which we are balancing our checkbooks with our dreams and goals, and we find ourselves overwhelmed by the attempt to even make the two balance…even just a little.

But these verses speak hope to me and remind me to be gracious to myself:

“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” Vs 16-17

And I remember to be thankful for what I do have…a loving God who sent His own Son to fix a very broken relationship with His people and the example He gives, two people that take turns washing dishes and creatively trying to turn little spaces into multi-use spaces, a vehicle that continues to work ten years later and will likely never flip over for being too tall, and family and friends to celebrate the holidays and every day whether we have fine décor or not.

I have found that I frequently keep waiting for the next step and wanting to improve this and that in my life. In a way, these ambitions are good, even admirable. However, if they prevent me from enjoying the current moment and the day that is blessed on me, these ambitions are no longer good and no longer admirable. Similarly, if I become wishful for something I do not have, but think I should have (to have happiness), it keeps me from enjoying what I have.

And regarding the materialism that is so very rampant in our current culture, this envy…this want of other material possessions…has (and has had) the potential to take away my peace whether that is in comfort, finances, or work satisfaction.

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” vs 30

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Vs 12

This verse holds a special place in my heart as it spoke to me a long time ago while my best friend who is now my husband was still my boyfriend and deployed to Afghanistan.

I wrote this poem back then as I waited for him stateside.

And it is absolutely lovely to see it fulfilled. He came home. In less than a year, we were engaged. A year later, we were married. And after several years of sharing life together, we share a little home together with our little growing family which makes our hearts smile. As I reflect on my current joy, my heart delights in the joy that comes as my life and paths moves closer and closer to God.

Proverbs 13:12

Gently, softly

My heart aches
Tenderly, quietly
My heart weeps

For in missing the one
Who makes my heart smile,
Makes me more aware of my longing
For He who first loved me.

On my heart when I first rise
On my mind when I find rest
My lips lift up heartfelt prayers

My imagination cannot grasp the day
When we shall be face to face
Wrapped up in each other’s hugs.

Will my heart stop in pure joy?
Will my energy be renewed?
Will I run and jump, laugh and cry?

Patient and hopeful
I wait for those days
Eager and jubilant
I wait for those days

For in missing the one
Who makes my heart smile,
Makes me more aware of my longing
For He who first loved me.

“From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.” vs 14

The message I receive from this verse:

Let the words of your mouth be good. Let them reflect the goodness and joy in your heart.

Don’t allow your words to speak doubt in your life.

The words you speak affect the actions you perform and your productivity.

Let them speak Hope and Well-Being.