10-23-20   THOUGHTS

Our teacher Wednesday evening focused our attention on the Hebrew word HESED. It is most often translated LOVINGKINDNESS.  David uses it over and over in Psalms where it is usually OF GOD!  This is not a word study, but isn’t this an attractive word?  As translated, it combines two of the most lovely words in our language...  LOVE and KINDNESS.  My thoughts this morning in this context are singular.  Let’s think about this word IN OUR HOMES!
The environment of my home ought to be LOVINGKINDNESS.  The SPEECH, the ACTIONS as they relate to the people, KIND LOVE!  
Of the virtuous woman in Proverbs...  Prov 31:26  She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Prov 19:22a   What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
Mic 6:8   He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Zech 7:9   "Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;
As we struggle with strange times, with distancing which translates to closeness as a family huddles together for long hours and days, we each NEED TO FOCUS ON LOVINGKINDNESS BEHAVIOR!  Take the TEMPERATURE of FAMILY COMMUNICATION PATTERNS!   This is self-examination!  If proximity is producing AGITATED BEHAVIOR, take action NOW!  This of all times is a TIME FOR GROWTH!
Retired folk..  We are together MUCH!  SPEAK and ACT IN LOVE!  OLD AGE IS A MARVELOUS TIME TO WORK ON GETTING LOVE RIGHT!  
LOVINGKINDNESS as behavior takes charge.  It does not react to other’s behavior!  It is RIGHT IN AN OF ITSELF, and therefore to be pursued always.
LOVINGKINDNESS  “in the mind” will let your life SMILE and your LIGHT SHINE.
Surely we desire this for our marriages and our families?

My Prayer:
Teach us Father of your loving kindness. As it is your nature, may it be ours.  Take anger, and abrupt reaction from us, and remove selfishness far from us.  Help us to look on our spouses and children with tender, kind,  love.  Help us to guard our tongues and filter our words, that we always hear kind things coming from our lips.  Oh God, help each of our families to promote love and kindness as the atmosphere of their home.  Be present in each of our homes dear Father.
In the precious name of Jesus          Amen