Heart of My Heart

Heart of God

I didn’t plan to go there.  I normally don’t frequent Arts & Crafts shows.  But this day was different… wasn’t it, Lord?

I was there with friends.  We had all wandered off in different directions.  Suddenly, one friend called me over to a particular booth.

He knows how much I love You, Lord.  When I got to the booth, I understood why he had called me over.

The artist was a frail, old man.  A woodcarver.  Labors of love that must take hours.  Much of what he makes honors You, Lord — scriptures, praying hands, crosses and more.

I saw this heart.  And, in it, I saw Your heart.  In the words — Your Word.  And in the red background.  The artist himself explained why so many of his works are painted red.

“Because Jesus gave His blood for us.”

“Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  (Matthew 26:27b-28).

I can only imagine what it took this artist to make this heart for me, Lord.  I can only imagine what it took You to break Your heart for us, Lord.

Oh, Abba!  One thing always amazes me.  You knew, even before You created the Universe, that I would be in this man’s booth at this particular crafts fair.  The fair I never expected to attend.

But, as it turned out, my purchase of this beautiful piece of art was not even the main reason I was there… was it, Lord?

I had paid the man for my purchase, and he was reaching for some bubble wrap to protect it.  He swayed slightly to his right, as if momentarily losing his balance.  I reached out to steady his arm.  Then, with shocking swiftness, he collapsed… falling in the other direction, away from my reach.

He hit the ground hard.  It is only by Your grace, Lord, that he was uninjured.  My friend, a strong young lad, helped lift him back up into his chair.  Others gathered near, ready to assist.

The artist has a blood pressure problem.  He said this happens often.  He said he was “Fine” and that he didn’t need any help.  A family member was coming for him soon.  After multiple assurances, most people left.

I sensed it was not yet time for me to leave.  There was only one way I knew I could help him.  So that’s what I offered… to pray for him.

He gladly accepted.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I will probably never see him again this side of Heaven.  But I saw him on the day You had ordained, Lord.  In the place and at the moment of Your choosing.  So I could bless him and be blessed… in more ways than one.

“For God so loved [fill in every name in the whole world — Diana, this artist, …] that He gave His only Begotten Son, that [when Diana, this artist,…] whosoever believeth in Him [she, he, they] should not perish but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)

Gratefully Yours,

Abba’s Girl

 

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