Tag Archives: Heart

Open Your Eyes

English: 1950s Women's "Cats Eye" Gl...

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Today the word is: SEE

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See. See. See……..how do I see?

Do you ever feel like you are going through life or at least through some of your days, but not really opening your eyes? I feel that way sometimes. Going through the motions. Stuck in the rut of routine. Not really looking….too focused on the end result.

And I miss it.

I miss the moment. The “ah ha” realizations. Both the silly and the profound.

It’s difficult. I’m sure that you as readers can relate. Life becomes busy, hectic, frazzled….especially, as moms, many times we have laser beam focus. I want to get to the finish line of the day. Get everything done. Push through the tape at the end of the race.

Fall into bed exhausted and spent.

And in the quiet of the darkness realize that you did not live this day with your eyes wide open. What did you really see?

Look around. See the moments for what they are…..pieces of life’s puzzle. Tuck them in your heart.

And lay your head on the pillow at night, knowing……..knowing that you have looked, and really seen.

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Heart Healing

Genähte Wunde am Rücken, vier Stiche. (sewed w...

Today ladies are writing about A heart healing moment, at Faith Barista.

Words cut deep, and leave a gaping wound. Over time the wound heals…leaving behind an invisible scar. Along the way, more words and the wound is opened again. It is ugly and it hurts. The pain oozes out and runs down through the years. Words can change people, for better or for worse.

I still remember the words.

I was ten years old, and spending the day at a classmate’s house. She was one of my best friends in elementary school. We were playing hide and seek in her family’s two story farm house. I was hiding in the sitting area, next to the piano. It was a good place, and I could hear my friend looking for me. Unfortunately, I also heard her teenage brother come into the kitchen and announce, “You should be able to find her, she’s big enough that she can’t hide behind anything.” Tears sprang to my eyes, a sob caught in my throat….but, I didn’t make a sound. I stayed there. Hidden. Not knowing what to do. Not wanting to be seen. My friend eventually found me. I never told her what I had over heard. I kept it inside.

And haven’t we all been there? Whether it is a weight issue, or skin issue, or your chest is flat, and your nose is big….maybe your ears stick out, or you stuttered as a kid. Maybe you had a difficult time learning to read and you thought you were stupid. Or maybe your pain was never seen, at the hands of a drunk, or  putdowns from a parent who didn’t know how to show love. As adults, the words can sting and cut just as deep. Words can be harsh, and the scars left behind can crisscross a soul.

Years later I looked back at pictures of that time in my life, and the truth is, I wasn’t big. I was the size of an average fifth grader. Her brother was tall and super skinny, with frizzy hair and his face was broke out. He probably was dealing with issues of his own. I can look back and see that event for what it actually was, but it still hurt. I carried the scars of that with me for a very long time. Those thoughtless words obviously had a profound effect on me, if I’m still able to recall them after thirty-three years.

It was May of that same year, and I was getting ready to turn eleven. It was then that I gave my life to Christ. Even at that young age, I knew I needed Him. I knew I could trust Him. I understood grace and salvation, as much as a ten year old is able to comprehend. I understood that Jesus loves me, was not just a song, but the truth. I got it, that I could trust my heart with Him. I knew that He would never hurt me.

This passage from the Bible has had a deep and long lasting effect on me.

13 For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well. Psalm 139  NIV

These words make my heart sing.

I was WONDERFULLY made. God told me so…..and I can take Him at His word.

Always.

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Love Never Gets Old

English: a love heart in water

“Love never gets old”

My son’s words echoed in my heart just as soon as they left his mouth. Wisdom from my boy-man.

At the time, we were goofing around……as we have done ever since he was born, almost 17 years ago.

Times of silliness in amongst the trials of this life.

And isn’t that true? And what we all long for?

Love. Simply, love. The need for love doesn’t get old, or dry up, or go away.

Longing to know that we are valued, important to another. It is necessary… for truly

living.

Sifting through the day to day to find what is true. Real. Intangible.

Scripture tells us,  “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

More than just an emotion that is fickle at best. More than slick advertisements, or self gratification.

Love is sacrifice.

Always.

It is in the giving away that love becomes real. It is in the laying down of personal gain, or self promotion that allows love to flourish.

Love is at it’s greatest when we are least.

Love is…

* holding tight to newborn skin and feeling your heart living outside of your body

* holding a hand when your dear friend just received news that would rip her world wide open

* appreciating what was done for you, to allow you to be where you are right now

* wiping tears from the face of a child that is hurting and just holding him/her

* forgiving those words that were said in anger, and realizing that sin is real and we all are tainted

* starting over because we all need a second chance

* laying side by side, and feeling the warmth that two bodies create

* touching a face and memorizing the contours in your heart

* knowing another intimately, and choosing to love them anyway

* saying “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong”, even when it’s difficult. Words matter and water runs deep, and it is never necessary to drown in that pride.

* sacrificing time, for time is all we have…and it is valuable beyond measure

* setting aside the “I want”  for the “what can I do for you?”

* being the servant and not always the master

* real…when one can look past the facade to the spirit inside

* reaching out and grasping for another that is stronger

Love is all these things…and more.

“Le Prix d’ Amour, C’est Seulement Amour.”   (“The price of love is simply… love.”)

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Feeling Homesick

chocolate chips cookies

Image by timlewisnm via Flickr

“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave,

and grow old wanting to go back to.”

—-John Ed Pearce

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Farm houses

creaking floors,

Shared bathrooms

opened doors.

Milk and cookies

and PB and J,

Cozy evenings,

long summer days.

Popsicles

and friendships,

Bicycles

and home movie clips.

Family pictures

and church socials,

saying goodbyes

are always emotional.

Growing up

and moving out,

leaving home

great things, no doubt.

Moving forward

looking back,

time stands still,

fade to black…

 

 

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His Healing Touch

hospital_bed-5139

The Father of Lies, whisperssssss……..

Faintly.

Subtly.

Barely, perceptible.

The words scald the heart. White hot.

“You are not enough. You never were. You never will be.”

And the heart leaks from the pin pricks of the lie

Deception slithers its way into the holes left behind…

as the life blood leaves one drop at a time.

Wounded and bleeding.

Worn down and worn out.

Wanting.

Then the miracle happens.

Jesus knows and sees the bleeding heart. Nothing is missed as He surveys the scene.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

He sees the wounds. He gently touches the scars that have formed.

And He goes about the work of healing.

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me. “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”   Luke 8: 46-48

His hand touches the holes left in the heart. He repairs with the skill of a Master Surgeon.

With each stitch He breathes Words of Life…

You are wanted.

You are worthy to Me.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I knew you before you were even born.

I have plans for you.

I love you.

You are chosen.

You are beautiful.

I bought you for a high price.

You are one of the redeemed.

And the Great Physician said…

“It is finished.” John 19:30

 

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He Made The Blind To See

My eye

20/20 vision doesn’t always mean perfect sight

I know this from experience…

So many days,

more days than I even care to admit…

I choose to walk, blind.

Macular degeneration

can turn into soul disintegration.

How many times do I

choose to walk through my days,

with eyes that see,

but with a heart that doesn’t?

How many times do I purposely choose

to live in the shadows?

When there is joy all around me?

When the news of the day, or the difficulty of the moments

threaten to wipe out my vision

I cling to the ONLY ONE who can give me sight…

He gives me the ability to see that which truly matters.

 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. 

Matthew 20:33-34 NIV

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* sunny days in early summer

* remembering

*second chances

* driving back roads

* summer schedule

* evenings on the front porch

* knowing God is in control

* cool morning breezes after oppressive heat

* the name “Mama”

* my husband wanting us to be together

* enjoying each others company

* friendship

* farmers able to plant after a long, wet waiting period

* tractors with headlights in the night

* humming bird at the feeder

* flag blowing in the breeze

* bare feet

* a God that brings hope to the hopeless…

  and Jesus who gives sight to the blind

 

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Will you take a moment to share what you see?

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Where Your Heart Is…

Reach Out!

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”- Jesus (Luke 12:34)

The heart.

Not just the vessel that pumps our life blood, but the heart of our very being…

Who you are

What you desire

How you live

All of you.

For without the heart we are nothing.

Love, passion, life…

What am I passionate about? And you?

My treasure–where is it stored?

Seeking His kingdom with all my heart.

My passion. My life blood.

My treasure.

 

Luke 12: 22-34

 

 

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True Beauty

I read something today that inspired me.

I read all the time…usually, not for long periods of time right now, as this season of my life doesn’t really allow for that. Still, there are times when I will come across something that inspires me, causes me to think, shows me the simple, yet beautiful things of life.

No matter where we are in life, or under what circumstances…we can have beauty in our life. For those of you that think I am talking about a make-over that includes fashionable attire and a new haircut…um, no. Not that makeovers aren’t great, just not where I am heading with this. True beauty is much more than the physical. Those that possess true beauty are rare. Their beauty is exquisite, not because of flowing hair or perfect teeth. Their beauty comes not from the outside, but from the inside. Oh, you’ll know her when you see her. You’ll be drawn to her. You won’t be able to take your eyes off of her. Not because she looks like a Vogue model, but  because she understands that real beauty can’t be bought. It can only be given away.

When a mother looks deeply into her child’s eyes and says, “I am so glad you are my child. What fun and adventure you have brought into my life. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”—and the child knows the beauty of words.

When a wife wraps her arms around her husband and kisses him for no reason in particular— the man knows the beauty and importance of physical touch.

When a daughter shares memories with her mother… pieces of her heart…—the  mother knows the beauty of remembering.

When she takes time to listen a friend, with her full attention, no distractions….- and the friend knows and understands the beauty of being heard.

When someone takes time to hold a hand, or comfort the hurting… the one in pain knows the beauty of compassion.

When a woman, instead of arguing, chooses to instead hold her tongue…she shows the beauty of self control.

When she takes the time to build relationships and share her faith…the people she touches know the beauty of courage.

Each of us struggles. Most of us, everyday. But working on being beautiful is never a vain attempt.

Being beautiful is hard work. Not for the weak, or the self absorbed. Not for someone afraid of getting dirty, or someone who is scared.

Beauty takes it’s toll over the years.

Though the outside appearance might fade with age, a true beauty will have, over all those years maintained her heart. As she looks in the mirror may she see not what the world sees….but, what God sees…for He looks on the heart.

May our hearts be beautiful to Him.