Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
“You will catch more flies,” St. Francis used to say, “with a spoonful of honey than with a hundred barrels of vinegar. Were there anything better or fairer on earth than gentleness, Jesus Christ would have taught it us; and yet He has given us only two lessons to learn of Him—meekness and humility of heart.”
Francis de Sales (1567-1622) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 29 January reading.
Related to our generosity, we need to think: honey. Francis equates it with meekness and humility of heart. What is the difference between meekness and humility?
Meekness (often translated as gentleness) refers to our posture toward others, whereas Humility is our view of ourselves before God.
I am learning in Europe that my interaction with people needs to drip like honey with meekness and humility as the typical American posture often exhibits the opposite traits.
And let me explain the connection between today’s post and the new header photo. Southern Czechia is Moravian wine country. Between every other row they plant beautiful wildflowers.
I learned this accomplishes two strategic purposes. Firstly, it brings insects that eat the pests that could harm the grapes (or in the words of Francis, “You will catch more flies…”).
Secondly it enriches the soil for more healthy grapes. Likewise, imagine how we can draw and enrich others generously with meekness and humility. Make it so, Lord Jesus.
Heading from Czechia to Slovakia today for meetings and training work in Bratislava, Poprad, and Košice. Appreciate your prayers for receptive hearts. And still praying for additional aid to deliver to Ukraine.
Give here to deliver hope and help: $10 provides 30 small loaves of bread for suffering people in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. This bread is the perfect compliment to the honey of meekness and humility. Thanks.