The heart. Definition: An incredible muscle in our body that works
its tail off to keep us alive. Interesting facts: The average adult heart beats
72 times a minute; 100,000 times a day; 3,600,000 times a year; and 2.5 billion
times during a lifetime. Though weighing only 11 ounces on average, a healthy
heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels each
day. A kitchen faucet would need to be turned on all the way for at least 45
years to equal the amount of blood pumped by the heart in an average lifetime.
During an average lifetime, the heart will pump nearly 1.5 million
gallons of blood—enough to fill 200 train tank cars. Grab a tennis
ball and squeeze it tightly: that’s how hard the beating heart works to pump
blood. Interesting.
When I was working a temporary
job in Houston
a few years ago, I had full coverage insurance. I used that opportunity to have
a complete heart checkup. They put me on a monitor, a treadmill, scans, x-rays
and more. The whole time asking me why was I there. I just wanted to know that
my heart was solid.
When they were done the report
came back. Physically I was in great shape, the heart was good. No problems,
and no reason to worry.
My concern since then is still
my heart, but it is not so much the muscle sweating in my chest, but the
emotional, gut feeling, driving force that works as hard or harder as its
physical brother. It is that deep inside feeling, that over the top elation,
the ground pounding sadness, the quiet comfort.
My heart hurts when I hear
stories of loneliness, abandon, loss and confusion. I can be moved to tears
just watching a show or even a commercial on television. This morning as we
were leaving our men's Bible study, one of our guys told how he was worried
about his aging father -- how his dad was getting older and falling a lot. In
his eyes you could see the pain his heart was feeling. He was asking what to
do, how to help, how to be helpful without disrespect to his dad. He said,
"Next week we are going to have to pray for him." Well my buddy and I
just smiled and said in unison, "Let's pray right now." And we did.
The heartfelt joy of prayer is new for me in the last few years; sharing
it is awesome, and I dig it.
The hearts of children are a big
part of my life with our ministry today. I love experiencing the overflow of
love from the unspoiled places they carry inside. They will also share the
deepest pain. Kids will say what they feel, what they think, what they have
experienced and so often God speaks through them. We miss a lot when we do not
listen to kids as we look into their eyes.
My kids are all going through
some tough times in their lives. New schools, new friends, new experiences. It
is so hard sometimes to not just swoop in and rescue them. We try to make sure
we cover everything, begin and end everything, struggles to victories, with
prayer. It doesn't always take away the hurts and provide immediate answers,
but knowing God is listening and that we’ll eventually see His answer is
comforting to my heart. The struggles can remain, but faith is the corner.
Zig Ziglar was an amazing
motivational speaker who recently passed away. He was incredible. I read his
books and went to see him when he was speaking in town. Millions of people took
to heart his teachings and changed their lives forever. Once when I had the
chance to meet him in person I had my Bible with me and asked him to autograph
it. He was a mighty man of and for God. I was seeking to really make a
difference in the world, to fill a huge hole in my heart with meaning. He wrote,
"To Thomas, Romans 10:9," Zig Ziglar. Romans 10:9 says, "If you
confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." That
day, that gift of a specific Scripture verse began to help me fill that space
in my heart.
So I guess the thread I am
trying to weave with here is that the heart you feel with is real, important
and needs care. We are all designed perfectly to do something amazing. All the
hardships and victories, the good and the bad, all those experiences have
prepared each of us to do something incredible. For me that journey began when
I prayed that prayer Zig Ziglar shared with me so long ago.
Yes, the chicken fried bacon in
Snook, Texas,
is incredible. I love a whole plate of sweet potato fries from anywhere. A
burger with everything on it is my favorite meal. Are these the best choices
for me today if I am trying to care for the heart muscle in my chest? Not
always. I know to be careful, smart.
Ah, but it is the emotional
heart inside that is always hungry for more. The new year is upon us. Seize the
day, don't wait. Ask God into your life and begin the adventure you never
thought possible. The one your heart is seeking in those still and quiet
moments -- today it begins. Romans 10:9.
