Day 115 - Very Great Reward

Some things I do without reward, but to be honest, I enjoy all kinds of rewards.  The ping of jar lids after canning is reward for hard work, as is the "fruit of the labor" during winter months.  I like to reward myself for losing inches or pounds by going to a play or a movie and I feel like I've won a battle - and received a reward - when I find a bargain whether it is at a rummage sale, Goodwill, at a mall or online.  I once found cash safety-pinned to the ironing board for doing someone else's chore.

It's interesting to compare those things with what the scripture describes as a great reward.  Hebrews 10:35 says "don't throw away that courage of yours, which carries with it such a great reward" and in Genesis 15:1 the Word of the Lord came to Abram telling him "Don't be afraid, I am your shield, your very great reward."  S'khar Harbeh M'od - Very Great Reward is a description of the Lord.  Reward is  compensation for something,  a benefit, and most meaningfully a price paid.  He was my reward by permutation (A complete change; a transformation).  M'od expresses the very - as wholly, especially, and is used with other words as an intensive or superlative, and Harbeh - as in great with child - increasing, producing, multiplying.  Put together, the meaning is rich: the Lord is an especially amazing and complete price paid for me (!) He IS my benefit - my reward. No wonder he begins by telling Abrahm not to be afraid.  The Lord himself is my shield, and my very great reward; I can think of no greater protection and receive no greater gift.

  Veggies - yes!  - Frozen green beans and baby carrots cooked together and tossed with flavored oil. Lemon caper sauce for the baked lemon-herb chicken.  Finger licking good.

Cranberry Tuna Salad - an all time favorite of mine.  It's a home spinoff of Whole Foods Tuna Salad. Minimal mayo thinned with lemon juice just holds together the tuna, onions and cranberries.  A little salt and voila!