#64 A Full Heart. "Thoughts from the Back Deck..."

I have to say, my heart is full! 

After returning from a funeral today, I came home to be greeted by my youngest daughter, back for Christmas break. 

All back together under the same roof. All three (David is at work) back in the nest for a time. With each passing "break" I know the time is coming when this will be a rarer and rarer event, so I treasure it all the more.

Reading books. Playing Minecraft. Having dinner. Laughing. Watching "The Santa Clause". Catching up. Doing our Christmas puzzles. Time together!

Our children are only with us for a short time and then they begin their own lives. 

As parents we try to instill into our children some basics don't we. The list varies but the heart behind the drive is the same.
Faith.
How to treat others.
Value of Family.
Value of life.
Counting your blessings and facing challenges. 
A work and life ethic.
Seeing the Lord's hand in our lives.

...and many more things.

God has always had His hand on our life. He does not force us but guides us because we all know we can't force our kids as they grow into anything but we try to lead them and guide them but ultimately they need to make their own decisions as adults. And we as parents pray from them and are there with them and for them along life's way.

In the text below, the Lord is calling out to His people. He is telling them what he will do for them...
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 

He is not forcing them. He is making a promise to them...to us! 

Apart from the Lord our hearts become damaged, cold, even to the point of being hardened like stone. 

But as I said at the funeral, the Lord is in the business of restoration. 

The Lord can make any heart new.
The Lord can soften the hardest of hearts.
The Lord can knit back together the most torn heart. 
The Lord can make strong the weakest of hearts.
The Lord can restart the heart that has stopped. 

Christmas is a reminder to us how His heart beats for us. How His love pours out on us as His son poured out His life for us. 

Grateful for God's soft heart for me and grateful to have a full heart as my kids fill Michelle's and my home once again. 

Peace out,
Andy

stpaullakeland.org

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