welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread my name is Amy Boucher pie and I called our reading hopes and longings
 when I moved to England the American holiday of Thanksgiving became just another Thursday in November although I created a feast the weekend after I long to be with family and friends on the day yet I understood that my longings weren't unique to me we all yearn to be with people do to us on special occasions and holidays and even when we're celebrating someone who's not with us or we may pray for a fractured family to be at peace during the wisdom of the Bible has helped me including one of King Solomon's Proverbs hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing for filled is a tree of life
 in this proverb one of the pithy sayings through which Solomon shared his wisdom he notes the effect that hope deferred can have the delay of something much long for can result in aches and pain but when the desire is fulfilled it's like a tree of life something that allows us to feel refreshed and renewed some of our hopes and desires might not be fulfilled right away and some might only be met through God after we die whatever our longing we can trust in him knowing he loves us unceasingly and one day we'll be reunited with loved ones as we Feast with him and give thanks to him
 the passage from scripture for today is from Proverbs 13 verses 12 through 19
 how to forward makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life
 whoever scorns instruction will pay for it but whoever respects the command is rewarded
 the teaching of the wise is a Fountain of Life turning a person from the snares of death
 good judgment winds favor but the way of the Unfaithful leads to their destruction
 all who are prudent act with knowledge but fools expose their folly
 Wicked messenger falls into trouble that a trustworthy Envoy brings healing
 whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame but whoever heeds correction is honored
 a longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul but fools detest turning from evil
 let's pray God our creator you fulfill our deepest longings we give you our hearts and our desires as we ask you to grant them according to your wisdom and your love and we pray through the name of Jesus Amen
 today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries