Little Tastes of Honey

You and I have sugar at our fingertips in the kitchen and in every restaurant, but in biblical times honey was the only sweetener around. In the land of milk and honey, a proverb said, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).

Like honey, well-chosen words are not only sweet; they are sticky—finding a permanent place in the hearts of those who hear them. Simple phrases mean a lot if they come from the heart.

I’m proud of you. What child doesn’t long to hear these words from her parents or grandparents? What student wouldn’t want to receive such affirmation from a teacher or professor he admires? What young Christian wouldn’t appreciate knowing that his minister feels proud of him because of the kind of person he has become and the godly choices he has made?

• Please forgive me.* Those are some of the hardest words to say, but they are indispensible to positive relationships, leading to healing and reconciliation. The English novelist James Hilton said, “If you forgive people enough you belong to them, and they to you, whether either person likes it or not—squatter’s rights of the heart.”
• I love you.* In the books of 1, 2, and 3 John, the repeated references to love almost become wearisome from overuse. “God is love. Love one another. Do not love the world. Love with actions and in truth. Perfect love drives out fear. Walk in love.” Yet, what could be grander than the love of God in active expression? We imitate God when we let others know we love them—then back up our words with our actions.
• Thank you for making a difference.* A friend of mine makes it a habit to spend the last 10 minutes of his work-days writing thank you notes—which not only encourages others, but also allows him to go home in a cheerful mood. The apostle Paul cultivated a similar habit. His New Testament letters overflow with appreciation for his friends, his coworkers, and his Lord.

Help me understand. Instead of jumping to conclusions with words that accuse, blame, and demand, why not empathize and try to understand another person’s point of view? Bill Hybels points out that in American culture, when you ask people how they’re doing, they usually say “fine.” He suggests asking the question a little differently: “How are you doing . . . really?”

How can I help? What minister wouldn’t love to hear this question from a member of the church? Who wouldn’t be relieved to hear these words from a trusted friend who’s not just being polite, but genuinely offering assistance? What boss doesn’t appreciate an employee who sincerely pitches in and goes beyond the letter of the job description to tackle whatever needs to be done for the good of the cause?

I believe. Extraordinary things happen when ordinary people say “I believe” and mean it. Faith can move mountains, though often one pebble at a time. A mustard seed of faith can grow into a fruit-bearing tree, but not without cultivation. The psalmist wrote, “How sweet are your promises to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103). It cultivates faith when we incorporate God’s promises into our conversation and use our tongues to build people up, not beat them up.

Simple words of encouragement—words of faith, hope, and love—stick like honey on bread. Wouldn’t it be sweet if we would give more of these gifts to others?