What is Your True Heart Story?

Aside from medical miracles, we only get one heart. Physically, it is soft and tender as it is meant to be from the day we are born. Statistics show that if we take care of our heart (as well as the rest of our bodies), the natural lifespan of an American woman is 80.8 years. Again, the miracle of modern medicine can lengthen that figure.

Yet, there are many situations throughout our lives that can “harden” our beautiful beating heart. We can let what other people do and say affect our entire lives until we do not even have a quality of life. If we let them, they can turn us into someone we don’t even recognize.

True Story

After 26 yrs of marriage and five grown children, a woman we'll call Brenda was shocked the day her husband walked out on her with no prior provocation, or so she thought. She was devastated. Anger and pride led her to rush to leave the home he was prepared to give her in the divorce.

Subsequently, she not only turned her back on God, but went into a deep depression that lasted for 39 yrs! Her anger and pride opened the door to bitterness and hostility. A very, very sad situation that no one could change--including doctors--despite strenuous efforts.

Family members noticed many things over the years that contributed to Brenda's forced state of affairs. She never got off her bed long enough to stop watching TV. She lived in her pajamas. She refused to get involved in life! Brenda cared not to participate in any hobbies. Didn’t want to be make friends. No interests. No joy. Nothing. Brenda’s heart was dead, but she was still breathing.  

Not Meant to Be This Way

Let's decide right now to never allow life to get us down like Brenda’s did! This “heart” month can be a difficult one to deal with as a single-again woman. We see others joining together to celebrate their love lives. And it hurts. But it doesn’t have to be the worse season in our lives.

We can plan now to make it all matter in our lives. Find someone who is also sad or hurting and celebrate in a different, positive, and encouraging way. Whatever we do, let's promise ourselves not to spend it alone. We will feel more joy if we:

• Bring red flowers to the women in an assisted living facility
• Start now and make small, heart-shaped pillows for hospitals
• Make bookmarks with the words Jesus Loves You! for teachers
• Start a new hobby. Find a new interest with others.
• And, yes! It’s okay to pamper ourselves with a special gift.

A Beautiful Answer

Our hearts are given to us by the Lord God Almighty Himself--our Creator. He gives us a beautiful answer to improve our hardened heart “condition.” We can choose to open the door and invite Jesus into our lives. His love for us promises to change our uncompromising viewpoints, our headstrong attitudes, and inflexible hearts. That’s the Good News. There is no bad news.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26