This was on my twitter feed this morning from DoSomething.org...
Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
-Proverbs 13:12
It struck a chord with me for some reason... and has stuck with me all day.
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
I went on an internet search about this verse this evening... because it was still in my head (does that count as a form of meditation?).
I found that it is part of a "10 Ways to Love" meme all over Tumblr... and I love it. Each of the 10 ways is accompanied by a verse-- but each could just as easily stand alone.
1. Listen without interrupting.
Proverbs 18:13 – To answer before listening, that is folly and shame.
2. Speak without accusing.
James 1:19 – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
3. Give without sparing.
Proverbs 21:26 – All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
4. Pray without ceasing.
Colossians 1:9 – For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.
5. Answer without arguing.
Proverbs 17:1 – Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
6. Share without pretending.
Ephesians 4:15 – Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
7. Enjoy without complaint.
Philippians 2:14 – Do everything without grumbling or arguing
8. Trust without wavering.
Corinthians 13:7 – Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
9. Forgive without punishing.
Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
10. Promise without forgetting.
Proverbs 13:12 – Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
I am still caught up on the hope deferred part... maybe it is all the current craziness with our government. Where do I find hope? How do I give it to others?
What does hope deferred do to you? I know that it is making me weary. I am seriously struggling with how to feel about the goings on in the world-- both the world writ large and the small microcosm that is my life. I am holding on to hope, because I do not believe in futility.
Peace, my friends.