A Cough Drop Wrapper

 

Over the last several months, Brian and I have purchased enough cough drops to either sink a ship or to have stock in a particular company that sells them. Don't get me wrong...I'm very grateful for each one I have popped in my mouth that have given me moments a relief from an incessant cough.

Last summer, taking the wrapper off of one such cough drop and just prior to wadding it up to throw it away, I took a good look at the wrapper. I found four messages printed on that particular wrapper that were ever so small and short, but very profound and encouraging at the same time. Maybe I had noticed them before, but didn't read them with any intent of learning anything. Just a few days ago, I held another such wrapper in my hand. It was the same cough drop company with four little messages on the wrapper that each spoke to me in a unique way. Oddly enough, as I looked at each of the four little messages, there were Scripture verses that came to my mind, appropriate to each one. Although the world may have ways of encouraging us in good ways, God and His Word has often gone before them with the very same messages. God's messages are even more profound, encouraging and lasting even though I am appreciative of my little wrapper prompts.

#1 “Don't waste a precious minute.”

And that, knowing the time, that
now it is high time to awake
out of sleep: for now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed.
Romans 13:11

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9

#2 “Don't give up on yourself.”

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hath professed
a good profession before many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:12

#3 “Power through!”

I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the
Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23

#4 “Take charge and mean it.”

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,
do it with thy might...
Ecclesiastes 9:10

I'm always amazed at how God can get His messages to me just when I need them, especially when I'm not feeling well. I so appreciate the prompting of the Holy Spirit bringing to my mind appropriate Scriptures I need perhaps when I don't even realize I need them. I'm so thankful for the fact that:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness
That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
II Timothy 3:16,17

I'm also reminded that if God can use something as insignificant as a cough drop wrapper, He can use you and me as well.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your wonderful promptings in my life. Jesus said to His disciples that You would bring things to their recall those things Jesus had taught them. I'm grateful You continue to do just that in my life. In Jesus' precious name....Amen