This morning I decided to allow the Wonder Dog to run (with me running behind him) in search of those elusive rabbits across the road. No, we found no rabbits, but I did think I was going to have a small heart attack after running a short distance. I strongly suspect my heart and arteries are beginning to harden with age and not enough cardio exercise. Oh, I walk, but I seldom get my heart rate into the cardio strengthening zone.
When your heart is required to beat faster to get the necessary oxygen to the body parts you are using, it serves to help keep our arteries clear of that EVIL artery hardening plaque. It also serves to keep the heart itself from becoming rigid and hard from a lack of moving blood flow. As we perform cardio exercise, we are working to keep our arteries and heart soft and functioning at a greater efficiency by moving the blood through it at a faster rate. These important body parts work best when soft and pliable.
In the last few years, I have at times felt great fatigue brought on by all the needs of those in my path. So many have such great obstacles and needs and there seems to not be enough of me to go around. The Holy Spirit is working to soften my heart and soul to the needs of the world by showing me the plight of my fellow man. There are tears bubbling to the surface almost daily for all those who are hurting and desperate.
The good new is this is keeping my heart and soul spiritually healthy. God has chosen to remind me of the talents He has gifted me with and all those who could benefit from them. He is continually softening my heart by placing these needs before me. My part is doing what I can to alleviate the suffering. The most important thing I do is be present. No, I cannot solve all the problems of those who are suffering. I can stand along side them, offer a listening ear, and a kind touch and above all pray for their needs.
I am thankful for a God who loves me so much that He will not allow my heart and soul to harden. I am thankful for the opportunities to help He places before me. I am thankful to know ~
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worth comparing
with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Romans 8:18
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A heart of flesh . . . Yes, Lulu, we certainly need God to keep our hearts soft, pliable and sensitive to the needs of others around us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!