GOOD MEDICINE!

 “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 17:22. (NKJV).

“No way!” Timmy snickered. 

“Oh, yeah. Late that evening, Harry plopped into the kitchen chair, his elbows on the table.  Jenny set a plate before him—steak, baked potato, hot rolls with a green salad on the side— 

“'Umm, just what I need. Thank you.' She smiled, handed him a cup of coffee, and joined him. He blessed his food, but before he could pick up his fork— 

“A blur of yellow fur zipped under his elbow, snagged his steak, and fled. Stunned for a nano-second, he leaped from his chair and took off after the cat. The feline made it to the now-closed door, the meat dangling from his mouth. 

“Harry strode into the kitchen, the trophy between his thumb and forefinger. He tossed it into the garbage can. 

"’My steak. And he thought he'd get away from me? Ha!’

“His wife doubled with laughter. ’I'm impressed. Didn’t know you could move so fast.’  She swiped away tears, patted her husband on the back. The kids came running at the commotion and hooted. 

“’Who'd believe a cat could stir up this much laughter? Guess it was in there all the time.’”His wife suppressed a giggle, fingers covering her mouth.

“Did Uncle Harry get supper?” 

“He did." He chuckled. “Not steak, mind you, but a cheese omelet with the trimmings and a good dose of laughter.” 

"Dose of laughter?"

“Absolutely. Good Medicine. Which would you choose? A merry heart or dried-up bones?” 

“Good medicine—a merry heart, of course.” He grinned at Grandfather. Grandfather winked. They laughed.

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus promises to love me and never forsake me. He'll be there in times of trouble and in times of gladness. He tells me in His Word, a merry heart is like a dose of good medicine. He promises the same to you. Won’t you come to Him?

ANYONE THIRSTY?

 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”John 7:37-38. (NKJV).

The little guy picked up a plastic water bottle, tipped it up. A few drops landed on his outstretched tongue. He dropped it into a shopping bag.

“Hey,” Timmy called. “Thirsty?" He held up a bottle of water.

“I'm Timmy," he pointed to the gentleman to his left. “This's Grandfather.” He handed the bottle to the boy. He chugged half of it.

"Name's Jake. Mine to keep?" 

“Yours to keep. We’re headed to get breakfast. Welcome to join us.” 

The boy peeped at Grandfather through half-closed lids. 

“If you’re not hungry, it’s okay." 

“Can I bring this?” He held his bag. At Grandfather’s nod, he slung it over his shoulder.

Seated, the waitress brought menus. “Mr. Sterling, Timmy." She pulled back. "Jake? What’re you doing here?”

“He’s my guest and needs a menu, Sally.” She hesitated, handed one to him. “Thank you. What’ll you have this morning, boys?” Grandfather winked at Timmy.

After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausages, Jake put down his empty milk glass. “Y’all must eat here a lot. She knows your name.”

“Our Saturday morning treat. But Jake, I’ve not seen you before.”

“Just moved. She lives on my street.” Jake nodded to the waitress. “I’ve got to go. Thanks for breakfast.”

"Join us anytime." He smiled at Grandfather, grabbed his bag, and left.

“Think he’ll come again? He loved those pancakes.” 

Grandfather smiled. “I believe he will. He knows he's welcome with us.”

“Besides, we know his name.” 

“Indeed we do.” 

Timmy tilted his head. “Maybe after he gets to know us, we can offer him sips of living water?” 

Grandfather grinned. “Sounds like a plan to me.” He high-fived his grandson.

Kingdom Thinking. Like Jake, I drank water that couldn’t satisfy. Then Lord Jesus invited me to come to Him and drink living water. He promises never to leave me and to love me with an everlasting love. He promises the same to you. He knows your name. Are you thirsty?