Willing Hearts

I saw a poster on Pinterest with the picture of an empty bed.
The caption read something like: “be the kind of woman, that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the devil says, “oh, rats, she’s out of bed”.
Our theme this month is “Willing Hearts”. Oh, how I wish my heart was willing and fearless enough to be the kind of woman described above. The devil knows I usually pose little risk to his schemes as I am usually too self-indulgent, lazy, distracted or timid to be much of a threat.

Being a woman of God with a willing heart would take a strong and fearless spirit, also.
A Willing Heart serves others with love and courage. Life is messy. Life is painful. My first instinct when faced with the pain and heartache of others is to try to escape. But God can not use us if we guard our hearts—from Him or from the pain of others. We have to be ready and willing to go where there are hurting and needy people and the only way we can do that is by trusting in God’s strength. There have been many times when God called me into situations where I was woefully inadequate, and yet He gave me the ability to do what needed to be done. Each time we step out for God, He grows our faith and our courage so we can be more “willing” the next time. Each one of us has many opportunities to make a difference for God—if we’re willing. Serving our families, friends and others with love is a mark of a willing heart. Look around at the needs of others and be ready and willing to give what you can—a smile or words of encouragement, a hug, pat on the back, a meal, some money or time, or help with tasks, child care, etc.
We never know how much difference we can make until we’re willing to try!
As women of God, we’re friends, wives, mothers, daughters, aunts, and grandmothers who all have an opportunity to take care of and influence those around us. One of the most willing and courageous women of God ever, Mother Teresa, said this: “We can not all do great things, but we can all do little things with great love.”

A Willing Heart speaks the truth in love. We need courage to speak out sometimes, We need to give others the words of life from God’s word. Doing so may not make us popular. Our words can empower others to see themselves as God sees them—worthy of love and forgiveness. We can’t keep that a secret!

A Willing Heart is willing to take risks. Relying on God to do big things often appears foolish to others. My friends at Lovely Branches Ministries have relied on God to do big things through them by planning this Vine Press Newsletter, hosting special events and Bible Studies, and especially buying and refurbishing a building in Stafford, Kansas to serve as the Taste and See Coffee House. We will be having our next Bible study there as the building renovations are almost complete. Who knows how God will use these things?

I have other friends who are willing to use what they have for God. A good friend was in town last weekend and I am amazed by what she's done since we knew each other at KSU. Marcia rediscovered her artistic ability and began painting and using multi-media in her creations. She's done scriptural things for her church's Advent calendar, art work and note cards and even teaches art classes for cancer patients and care givers. Kim, who writes our Food For Thought column uses her photography, writing and musical talents for God. I have other friends with the gifts of friendliness, cooking, and practical sorts of talents who are willing to share with others. When you receive the product of their talents, yoiu are blessed indeed!

One of my favorite LBM Bible Studies was on Nehemiah. He tried what looked to be a completely impossible thing--rebuilding the huge wall around Jerusalem. He didn't even live there and had to get his King's permission to leave. After a lot of prayer and fasting, Nehemiah was sure this was his to do for God, and the King was not only favorable to his plan but even gave him needed supplies. Again, we may not be called to do big things--but sometimes even the little things we do for God can seem "big" in trying to accomplish them and our job is to be willing and to leave the results to God. God is pleased by our faith in stepping out and looks for people who are wholly committed to His plans. If we don’t try or ask Him for big things, we can never fully understand how BIG God

Other Matters of the Heart
Besides having a willing heart, we need to have healthy hearts. February is National Heart Health month, so take these suggestions “to heart”!
*Get your heart pumping-Walk, walk, walk! One of the best things you can do for heart health.
*Concentrate on heart healthy foods: fruits, veggies, whole grains (I made biscuits tonight from whole wheat pastry flour—not exactly light and fluffy!! I’ll have to keep tinkering with that recipe!) I’m using Extra-Virgin Olive Oil , Canola and Grapeseed oil to cook with as they have heart healthy fats.
*Avoid heart “aches and attacks”—anything that causes stress takes a toll by elevating resting heart rates and causing blood pressure to increase. (I don’t know about you, but I feel more stressed each time I read about stress causing these problems) There are some things we can do to eliminate some of our stress—maybe a life style change, giving yourself more time, decluttering so you can find things, working on some relationships. Depression is a literal heartache and causes heart problems as well. We need to find ways to reduce our worry, fear, anxiety…it is true for me, and for you that Jesus promises to hear our prayers for help and to give us the “peace that passes all understanding”.
*One other big heart or peace “attacker” is unforgiveness. We let other people live in our minds and we keep ourselves in a dither when we dwell on situations, words, and deeds that we won’t forgive. Not only does unforgiveness shorten our physical life, but it keeps us from enjoying life. Let It Go!!! Ask God to help you forgive and you’ll find it is yourself that becomes free!! As Proverbs says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body’.
*Give out hugs—loving touches spur the release of oxytocin, a chemical that brings blood pressure down. By the way, Mom was right. You really can “kiss an owie and make it better”. Researchers at Ohio State found that married people with the highest levels of oxytocin healed almost 1.5 times faster than people with low levels.

Bless Their Hearts
Celebrate God’s love for us and your love for others at Valentine’s Day. Funny Valentines, love notes, dark chocolate goodies (dark chocolate is good for your heart!), a special meal like heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, or an all red meal. Write “I Love You’ in red lipstick on the bathroom mirrors—and put some smooches with it—it will wipe off. Make a “love jar” with heart verses written from the Bible on cut out heaerts and put in a jar to be opened and read. Use the same idea only write things you love about a person on each heart instead and give it to them with some “kisses” candy—or the other kind—your choice!

My prayer for us this month is that we would be women of God with willing, fearless hearts who get out of bed each morning ready to spread His love and speak His truth!