Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.
I was wheeling down Dry Creek Drive on a carefree summer day. My Schwinn bike decked out with multi-colored streamers was undoubtedly my coolest possession. Perched on my banana seat, I felt like a princess riding her royal steed.
"Are you a boy or a girl?" they spit at me. I was so lost in the moment, I hadn't heard their approach. Their words landed below my ears; they seared into my heart.
For years later I would stand in front of a mirror and wonder if I looked feminine. My "development" into womanhood was less subdivision and more single family dwelling. I thought what I lacked in endowment branded me permanently as "not enough to be a woman".
Today's passage is Psalm 35. David calls on the strength of God. He implores His creator to be His defender, His shield and His warrior.
I wish I could ride my bike back in time and tell that carefree girl she didn't have to let those words penetrate her heart. She could instead call on God to fight for her.
A wise friend once told me when someone said or did something particularly ugly to her, she'd close her office door and shout to God, "You saw that, right?" The knowledge God sees and fights for us, frees us from the need to turn a temporary barb into a permanent wound.
Jesus, I release the people in life from my taking every careless remark to heart. I look to You to fight on my behalf. Today, I'll let you be my HeartGuard - now that's good medicine!
Shannon, it's amazing how hurtful words like this can stick with us. I love that God does fight for us and will refocus our hearts to His truth! I like your title too...my doggie is on it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen. lol - we love our dogs and our God, how could we go wrong? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon - lovely post. I still have a few of those 'remarks' to deal with and let go. For me, it was probably about who said them than rather what was said. But at the end of the day, the result is the same. God offers to guard our hearts. We should take Him up on His offer.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Wow, really makes me think of how I talk to people... especially my kids! I still remember the few times when a carer called me stupid. We need to make sure we focus our eyes on God and see that though we can never be 'good enough' He can make us perfect in His sight through the blood of Jesus. God loves us and no matter what other people think we need to remember that! :O)
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to let painful words go, too. Love this!
ReplyDeleteTracy, love this "We should take Him up on His offer." Don't you wonder how many things God is holding out to us that we never even notice? Beautiful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWondering Sheep - "God loves us no matter other people think" - that is so true. I need to focus on His truth not others' words.
ReplyDeleteCarey, thanks for your visit, sweet friend. You always bless me. XOXO
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