Devotion

The church I have been attending puts together a book for Lent. Each day of Lent is a scripture, devotion written by someone from the congregation, and a prayer. A few weeks ago, they were in need of a few more writers. I went home and e-mailed the person in charge expressing my willingness to write if needed. What was I thinking?! Well, here is what I submitted (minus the prayer. I forgot to originally write it so I sent it as a separate e-mail and didn't save it I guess):
Revelation 10: 1-10
After hearing there was a need for eight more devotion writers I decided to step up and answer the call. It wasn’t until after I sent the e-mail volunteering that I actually came to my senses and realized what I was really doing! This week I received the scripture, read the passages, read them again, and waited. I was waiting for those right words to enter. Below are the words that found me. The explanation or connection might not be clear to you, but like I said these are the words that found me.
I am one to believe there are angels all around us. Those angels might be loved ones that have passed before us or simply unknown angels that were sent to watch and protect over us. After reading about the angel and the little scroll, this angel reminded me of a teacher. At first, I thought of this angel as a teacher in a classroom. This was probably my first instinct because I am a teacher myself of young children. However, the more times I read the passage this week, I began to think of this angel as anyone in my life that I have learned from. My grandparents were influential people in helping me become the person that I am today. So, maybe this angel could be my MeMe and Pa. In the first verse, the angel is descending “wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun”. All those are signs of peace and bring a smile to my face. So, this angel was a sign of peace and comfort. When I think of a scroll it brings to mind great teachings. The angel told of this scroll as being “bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth”. Was the angel saying it is best to keep unkind words hidden down below and only let sweet words leave the mouth? Or was the angel saying if you swallow the scroll the teachings will be bitter in the stomach because they are kept hidden? If you read back over “the mystery of God will be fulfilled, as he announced to his servants” this is telling us to share the good teachings. We need to share the good news, the kind words, and the important teachings of God. This can be done by sharing the lessons that we have learned through the years.
As the children leave my classroom, I tell them to “be sweet. Remember who you are and where you came from” just as was told to me each time I left my grandparents house for college. This was always my last stop out of town. MeMe would say, “be sweet. Remember who you are” and Pa would chime in with “and where you came from. We love you.” So, even those children I know are going home to troubling situations, they at least know they left a classroom where they were loved and cared for. Isn’t it better to share the good in life and let kind words leave our mouths tasting like sweet honey?