Three Little Words

Last month my dear friend, Hether gave me one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. She said I was her Onesiphorus. Now, at first it may not sound like such a great thing to say and even a hard thing to say stumbling over the long name. But in the moment she casually said it - it brought genuine tears to my eyes. We were reading out loud through 2 Timothy and as I read these words,”…may the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,” and she quietly said, “you’re my Onesiphorus.” Wow. In that unplanned holy moment I felt so loved. Loved by my friend and loved by God.  

I pray that you find a holy moment to give and/or receive the same kind of love. I encourage you to tell your family and friends how deeply you care for them. Maybe you or they wouldn’t want to be called someone’s Onesiphorus, but I pray just the right three words are found and given and received.

 

“…May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, 

for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 

but when he arrived in Rome 

he searched for me earnestly and found me— 

may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!

—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.” 

2 Timothy 1:16-18

P.S. I haven't been able to return the compliment, but I will. I want to find the perfect three little words that may make her feel loved. It'd be kinda creepy to tell her she's MY Onesiphorus, right?