Where are You Taking Your Heart?

Christian Soul Care Devotional

By Bill Gaultiere © 2003, 2010

Much of who I am and who you are was shaped into being at the dinner table when we were children.  Who did you eat with?  Who was there?  Who wasn’t there that should’ve been there?  What was the conversation like for you?

Today I recalled a dinner table scene from a number of years ago when my youngest child Briana was seven-years old and she asked me a question I’ll never forget…

Kristi and I were leading our three kids in family conversation.  As has been our tradition, we were all sharing our “peak and pit” of the day.  I had just responded to something that Briana’s older sister Jennie had shared by affirming her as having “a heart of compassion.”  Jennie so appreciated my affirming words – she lapped them up like a puppy with a bowl of milk!

At that point that Briana, looked at me with her own puppy dog eyes and panted with anticipation, “Daddy, what do I have a heart of?”

Parents Form their Child’s Image of God

I turned to look at her precious face and eager heart. She had caught me unprepared so I hesitated for a moment, thinking to myself, “What I say right now is really important.  It may be the most important question she ever asks me!  Lord, what is Briana’s heart made of?”

“Little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice!”  No!  That wouldn’t have met Briana’s need!  She wanted me to recognize her beautiful uniqueness like I had her sister’s.  I thank God that in that moment He gave me the words: “Briana, you have the heart of a leader.  Your name means `Strong in God’s grace’ and that is what you are.  I love to see how you lead people in good ways.”

Briana wagged her tail and yelped with excitement, “Mommy!  Mommy!  I have the heart of a leader!”

Kids may Bring their Hearts to Unsafe People and Things

I am so glad that my little girl brought the question of her heart to me and that God spoke through me to give her the blessing that she needed.  As I’ve watched my little girl grow up I’ve often thought about all the other places that she could bring the question of her heart: to a fickle friend, a boy with lustful desires, alcohol at a party.

Briana may have forgotten my words, but I don’t think that she will forget the blessing of feeling affirmed, of being recognized and appreciated by her father for how God has made her.  I believe that today she stands a little taller and smiles a little bigger and is better able to pick herself back up when she gets a bad grade, feels rejected by a friend, or I get frustrated with her.

Where are you Taking your Heart?

You may not have received the blessing of being affirmed for your personality by a parent or mentor.  In our work as psychotherapists Kristi and I talk with wounded people all the time.  We’re wounded healers ourselves!  We understand.

If you missed out on the listening, care, and encouragement that you needed as a child then you probably struggle with insecurity or low self-esteem.  And you’re probably uncomfortable with your emotional needs and struggles.  Inside you may feel inadequate or bad about yourself.  You may be trying to hard to succeed in life or to get people to like you and yet it’s never enough.  Or you may be using alcohol or food to try to forget about your pain.

Just like Briana at age seven there is a question in your heart: “What’s special about me?  Am I attractive?  Am I significant?”  Are you bringing the question of your heart to God?  To a “Christ’s Ambassador” who helps you to connect with God’s grace? (1 Corinthians 5:20).

Go to Christ (and Christ’s Ambassadors who Minister Grace)

Jesus Christ is your Good Shepherd.  He knows your name.  He calls you by name.  And he leads you on a good path (John 10:3, 27).  Listen for his voice – everyday.

Find someone you trust and respect who helps you to hear his answer to the question of your heart.

And read the Bible as God’s Love Letter to You.

You’ll discover that God’s answer to your longing heart is: “I am with you and I am mighty to save you.  I take great delight in you!  I quiet you with my love, as I rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, paraphrased).

Thank you!