...[frankincense]...[my uncle Joe].
I’ve been going through a lot for the past few years when it comes to my health; this past year especially. I’ve just had a bout of really bad fortune. But, God has kept me, sustained me, and even sent people to help me.
He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. -Deuteronomy 10:18
My uncle Joe is one of those people. He’s been there for me during the most challenging time of my life (mentally, physically, spiritually, environmentally, everything). He doesn’t know it, but, his kindness this past year has shown me what a bit of what it feels like to have an active father in my life.
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. -1 John 3:17-18
Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart. -Zechariah 7:9-10
I have a father, and I will always love him, but he hasn’t played a part in my life like most father’s do. I don’t hold that against him nor do I expect him to be a father to me. I don’t expect anything from him to be honest; and I say that with a lot of love. But it was my uncle Joe who came to my rescue. I know God sent him to help me because God came to me the day before and told me not to worry (over and over); He told me He was sending help. And just a few hours later, my uncle appeared seemingly out of nowhere to check on me in my lowest condition, when no one was around to care about me.
He has no idea how his presence and care (even from a distance) has really helped not only to heal my body, but also my heart and hope in mankind. I’d become so used to people treating me poorly, abusively, with so much hate. This was such a change in what was normal to me, and from then on, God started to send other kind souls like him. Despite my health and financial struggles, things have been on the up and up for me since that day.
Even now, checks in on me, not realizing how much it all really means to me. Just this month, he send me Boswellia (Frankincense) to take daily to help with my health and condition. I can’t say that anyone aside from my own mother or grandmother cared about me in such ways. I used to think others cared about me, but they proved that to be a lie.
A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. -Proverbs 11:17
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32
Those who care, actively try to show it (like my uncle has). And maybe for him, it’s just a small gesture, but for me, it felt nice to matter. It showed me what it was like to be treated nicely. Such treatment can change the course of someone’s life. It certainly did for mine. And I’ll always be so thankful to him for that.
I pray all the time that God will bless him for what he’s done; for God to let him know how incredibly special he is; doing something that most would turn a blind eye to. It wasn’t his responsibility to help me. But out of the kindness of his heart, he stepped in to help me when I was all alone, so broken (even physically) and afraid.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. -Proverbs 12:25
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. -Proverbs 16:24
His bold compassion made me think about other people who might find themselves in a similar situation. I hope to be there in whatever way God guides me; that I might help someone maintain their faith by paying it forward.
So I guess the frankincense is a symbol of kindness, compassion and genuine care. Ever day that I take it, it reminds not only that someone cares, but that I too, should never give up on myself. I should–always–fight the good fight for my life, even if people are routing for me to fail.
If you ever read this silly little post, I want to thank you again, uncle Joe, for everything you’ve done. It really is something that I’ll always hold close to my heart as long as I live.
I love you.
And I want to thank anyone else who just happened to stumble upon this blog.
As always:
I pray many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many blessings over you!
xoxo
Rosalyn Rose