Ouachita Stories

My father is a quiet man. He feels deeply but keeps many of these feelings inside. You may relate to him in this way, or some of you may be more verbal, as I tend to be. As a child growing up in our home, my father only had to show me with few words he was disappointed in me, and my soul was saddened. I did not ever want to trouble my father. He is a kind Christian man, 95 years old and still living life abundantly! As this verse in Proverbs sates, mercy and truth definitely belong to him. I am also blessed to be married to a man who expresses his love, kindness and generosity on a daily basis. He, too, is full of mercy and truth.

 

Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

Proverbs 14:22

 

Words have the ability to encourage us or destroy us. They sink deep into our being, whether for good or for bad. Of course, words can never be a substitute for deeds. Proverbs 23:7 tells us “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Only the Lord can fill us with good thoughts, help us to speak encouraging and loving words, and guide us each day to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

In this month of February as we celebrate the love from our heavenly father and from family and friends, I encourage all of us to share words of encouragement to others. Proverbs 31:26 is an admonition to me: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” How I pray I can be a kinder person, filled with mercy and truth. May we all choose to seek the Lord daily and become more like Him.

 

By Becky Horne, First Lady of OBU