Friday, March 27, 2015

Balm

Someone called me a "balm" the other day.  I decided I needed to look the definition up in the dictionary.  It's not that I don't know what a balm is, but in reference to myself, I needed more clarity of the depth of the compliment. I truly believe the Lord gave me that word on purpose to wink at me.

Balm: a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin, an oily substance that has a pleasant smell and that is used for healing, smoothing, or protecting the skin, something that gives comfort or support (Webster Dictionary & Wikipedia).

I guess I needed to know that word that day, because when you don't feel very useful at times, you wonder what purpose am I serving right now. We've all been there.  Then God gives us a WORD.  Just one WORD, and our heart gets encouraged.  My WORD was BALM.

My heart was overwhelmed with such a WORD.  My heart was overwhelmed with such a compliment.  My presence gave them a feeling of being protected, comforted, and supported.  My presence gave them a sense of peace, a soothing and healing atmosphere. My heart rejoices that God would use me in such a way to touch lives.  I am humbled to be called a "balm".  I am blessed to be honored with such a title: Balm.

May we all be a balm to those around us.  May we all let the love of God flow through us in our activities, actions, and words.  May we all let God's peace surround us so that our very presence affects all those with whom we come in contact. To God be all the glory.

Let us be a "balm" to this hurting world, to the weak and weary, to the discouraged, to all those God brings across our path.  Now that I'm thinking about it, a Christian's nickname should be "Balm".  Let's live up to our nickname.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The power to name something makes it easier - sometimes even possible - to recognize it at all. And discuss it. This is a wonderful name to summarize your "presence."