While Spring is just a few weeks away, I have enjoyed the cozy mornings with a blanket on my lap and with a warm cup of decaf or tea.. It brings comfort each morning to open God’s word wrapped with warmth and sipping on a warm drink. The comfort we receive from the gifts of a blanket and a hot beverage are similar to the comfort Jesus desires his followers to give back to others.
As I have mentioned in the last journal, Isaiah 61 is our foundational verse and we are curating our products from this verse. Jesus quotes this verse in Luke 4:38 in the beginning of his ministry. Surely he did this for us too to use for a model of how we should love and care for others.
Let me refresh our memories with the beginning of Isaiah 61:1 “ The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…” These are the words I want to highlight in this journal, ”…to bind up the brokenhearted…”
What does….. “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted….” look like for us? As followers of Jesus we have His Spirit upon us to bind up the brokenhearted and point them to Jesus who saves and heals. To bind is to wrap something around tightly. Whether it looks like swaddling a sweet baby, or offering a friend a cup of tea and comforting words, or supporting young women who have experienced trauma due to human trafficking; All of these are ways of binding- holding close to our hearts and offering ourselves to deliver love and peace. Another form of binding could be offering prayers standing in the gap, praying and releasing prayer into the Father’s hands. We can intercede on behalf of others and Speak God’s word over them.
As Peony Market curates gifts for this season, I want to share a couple of gifts that fit the theme “…binding the broken hearted.” We have a cozy mug, “Fully Known and Wholly Loved,” to give someone who you want to share love and peace with this season. We can package it with organic tea and a new tea diffuser that is coming soon. Along with the tea, we have a new devotional called “Speak His Name” that pairs well with the mug for someone you want to encourage. I personally love the devotional with its beautiful illustrations that draw me into His beauty.
As for beauty, there isn’t anything more precious than seeing a baby swaddled in softness and wrapped in soft organic clothes. We have the sweetest baby ensemble for this season. The blanket, onesie and hat are all organic with no dyes or chemicals, and with a soft heart appliquéd on each piece. I can’t wait to see my own grand babies wear these soon!!
Who can you bless with these gifts of love and comfort? Binding broken hearts is sharing love and comfort, and offering love and comfort before hearts are ever broken; ..Establishing relationships in life so we can be there when hearts are broken, because we all will have them.
Each month we will unfold the words of Isaiah 61 for us to consider and embrace. Be blessed this season as we anticipate Easter and the newness of Spring!
Love and Prayers,
Sharon