Sweeter Than Honey

In my last post I shared about my new Hungarian friend, Gyöngyvér, who was preparing for a lecture in her area of expertise, but needed to brush up on her English since the lecture was to be given in English. She was so grateful for my assistance that she kept finding ways to "pay" me.

One day when I arrived at her 4th story flat a bit earlier then the scheduled time, she greeted me at the door and then apologized that she had to leave for a few minutes to run down to the ground floor to meet someone she was expecting at the front gate.

She returned with a brown paper bag, and then with a big smile on her face, pulled out a big container filled with honey.

"This is for you!"

I took it and held it up to see honey so light and clear that I could practically see right through it. I gave her a big hug, thanking her for her thoughtfulness. She explained that the man she met at the door is from the countryside where he extracts honey from his hives. She had him deliver it that morning especially for me. She proceeded to tell me that Hungarian honey is some of the best around, especially when it comes straight from the countryside. "So pure and sweet."

I couldn't help but think what this gift meant to me. There are two places where the Psalmist speaks of honey in relationship to God's Word. When Gyöngyvér gave me the honey, I was instantly reminded of these two passages. 

From a portion of Psalm 19:
 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
      reviving the soul.
   The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
      making wise the simple.
 The commandments of the Lord are right,
      bringing joy to the heart.
   The commands of the Lord are clear,
      giving insight for living.
 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
      lasting forever.
   The laws of the Lord are true;
      each one is fair.
 They are more desirable than gold,
      even the finest gold.
   They are sweeter than honey,
      even honey dripping from the comb.

And, Psalm 119:103:

How sweet your words taste to me;
      they are sweeter than honey. 

Like the bowl full of cherries that Gyöngyvér had given me just the week before, God was giving me gifts from nature that reminded me of His nature. What beautiful images of His love and grace. A reminder that the winter season does come to an end, that the leaves bud and the fruit blossoms, that the bees return to collect the nectar, and that He makes all things new once again.

Gyöngyvér's gift of honey was yet another grace-filled gift of summer 2011.

Side note: Did you know that honey naturally resists molds, fungi, and other bacteria, allowing it to last for years without refrigeration? :)