Saturday, April 30, 2011

God Is the Ultimate Caretaker of our Hearts

Today I had a stay-cation.  In my own cozy home.  Saturdays are always my sleep in days and I did just that only to wake with a nasty migraine.  It was a food allergy kind of headache so I knew what my day might be like as did my husband. He stepped up his day, forgoing his first golf game of the season to care for the three boys so I could just do what I could to be comfortable.

It's days like this I get how very blessed I am by David.  We had promised the boys they could spend their Birthday money today. So he packed all three boys into the car and went off shopping. Later he and all three boys piled into one bedroom building Lego sets, and discussing all the fun they had. All was quiet again when he decided to take them all to the park for a few hours. I can not hug him enough and say thank you enough for doing all he did today. Right down to doing the dishes and laundry.

I am going to surprise him on Sunday by having his golf clubs by the front door, and pretend like I have no idea how they landed there. A much earned day in the sun and on the golf course.

When I have a day like today it's very easy to think, or over think the things going on in my life.  One thing I have been thinking of is how I am not such a good friend in trying times.  This thought was so heavy on my heart, and has been the past few days.  Even when I ask God to show me the kind of friend I am to be I  seem to fail in the eyes of my friend(s).  Why?  I have asked myself that question and pondered the words and actions I often have. My nature is caring and sympathetic. My nature is to take it to God and pray over the situation and from there listen to the Holy Spirits guiding.  Does the "guiding" offer the kind of support and standing beside a friend that they may need?  Am I doing and being that Godly friend?

I was reading Philippians 4: 6-8
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

Something I understand is that I am not a "lip-service" kind of person. I do not fake emotions and have an even harder time concealing them.  For a sister in Christ who is hurting for what ever reason I try to direct them to the heart of God.  This passage is one that always brings my heart so much comfort. My words will never ease the pain which is deeper than my own understanding.  A gal was quite upset with me a few weeks ago.  Her last words to me were that "You think you have insights, but you have none." If she was trying to be hurtful, it did not hurt. It helped me in a grand way.  I don't want my insights to be what fuels my passions. I want God's word the Holy Spirit and His truth to be what comes from my heart.
So dear sisters in Christ, dear family and dear precious friends. My words, my heart and my intentions will be to come alongside and care for you. I am always going to fail. Expectations in me will often equal me failing over and over. However please know from my heart my intentions are always to serve our God and in doing so loving you and directing you to Him.  This passage is what gives me comfort in hard times. It brings me peace that is beyond my comprehension, and beyond how I can ever serve you as a friend.  

God is the ultimate caretaker of our hearts, of my heart. It is Him whom I trust with the intimacies of my heart and find healing, find truth, and find that special place of joy and peace. May you seek Him more to know Him more. Love and Blessings, Elizabeth

5 comments:

  1. Love this Elizabeth and seeing the ways that you and your guy show love in action towards each other...

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  2. ...and, another excellent post!
    Thanks, Elizabeth, and thanks be to God who fills our hearts and minds with His peace, joy, and wisdom!

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  3. Just love this Elizabeth. I am blessed to have friends that listen and then guide me back where I need to be. You honesty is what keeps most of us coming back for more. May we all be guided as well as you are.

    Much Love,

    Steffi

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  4. I have had similar thoughts on the friend I am and want to be. Let me just say that having a friend who feels "unsatisfied" with the friendship they offer, is a blessing. It means that the heart is not happy with giving the minimum, but working toward the maximum. Isn't that what Jesus gives us? He gives His all, His everything.
    You are a great friend Elizabeth. Blessings! Your friend, Bev

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  5. This is where I am at lately... I tend to want everyone to like me. But if I truly love them, I will do the hard work the Lord has called me to and push them out of the cozy nest. Time for them to fly.

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