Giving with our heart
Most mornings I try to watch a morning news show before starting my workday. This past Sunday morning, the interviewer spoke with a famous singer about the mental and physical drain he experienced following a long world-wide tour. One comment made by this talented singer/song writer led me to reflect on the thought of giving with our heart.
You know, having a song that you love … It’s basically like taking out your heart and offering it out to a bunch of people and you don’t know whether they’re gonna like it or not”*
Ed Sheeran
He spoke of the emotional impact and vulnerability we face when sharing of ourselves with others. Doesn’t that happen to us when we’re deeply involved in a project, we’ve created something special, or we’re working toward goals that benefit others?
This past weekend, our church hosted a fundraising event for a community organization that offers equine (horseback riding) therapy for children with special needs, at no charge to their families. Our church family provides food and hospitality for the event. The menu includes pork bar-b-que, grilled chicken, beans, slaw, rolls, dessert, and beverage. Hundreds of people attend and our church volunteers put in long hours planning, organizing, cooking, serving, and cleaning. By the end of the weekend, we are completely zapped, but we know we’ve given our all to this worthy cause.
When giving with our heart, we give the gift of love
But we worry sometimes, don’t we? When giving of ourselves through a service project or a creative endeavor, aren’t we anxious whether our efforts will be valued? Will anyone like what we’ve done?
Did we do enough? Did we give our best? Did anyone notice?
Those questions entered our minds as well. Since we cook and prepare the bar-b-que ourselves, there’s always the question of, Will our guests like the food? Are our guests having a good experience while they are here?
Will our guests feel blessed to be in God’s house?
We are giving with our heart when we serve others. But to whom are we giving our heart? Are we more concerned with what people think than whether we are trusting God to follow His will?
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (Deuteronomy 6:5-6)
Our hearts are essential for life–a powerful muscle which continually pumps life-giving blood throughout our body. These bloodstreams of life carry essential oxygen and nutrients to every cell. We’ve also bestowed on our hearts the center of human emotion. “I love you with all my heart,” is a verbal gift we want to hear from our loved ones.
But we are reminded who we are to love with all our heart.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39)
What about you? Where do you give your heart? To whom or what are you giving your heart? Do you give your heart by your actions? Through parenthood? Through service to others?
Are you giving your heart through a book you’ve written? Another creative endeavor? A major project completed? Your career?
We must be careful where we give with our heart…
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)
At times, we feel vulnerable when we are giving with our heart, but when we give our heart to Jesus, our future is secured with Him. We will no longer feel unloved.
Our heart muscle is necessary for our life here on earth. But for eternal life, we must give our heart to our Lord.
I’m praying that we will love God with our whole heart–give it all to Him. Wishing you a blessed week!
Ed Sheeran’s quote immediately reminded me o f Jesus, who loved us so much He gave His life. Of course, He knows who will accept His work on the cross and who won’t, but He gave for many who would reject Him. Our goal is to imitate Him and please the Father. Thank you for this thought-provoking post, Katherine.
You express it so clearly, Annie! “Our goal is to imitate Jesus and please the Father.” Thank you for sharing that Truth. Wishing you a blessed week.
What a gentle and encouraging post Ms. Katherine. I have come to expect nothing less from you my friend. As I was reading along, and I came to those self-doubt questions we all hear from time-to-time (am I good enough, will they like what I’m serving, did I do enough), the “will anyone notice” one caused me to want to scream out, “God sees! He knows!” I have to remind myself of that every week it seems. As I hear radio silence from publishers, or wait for a blog comment to arrive, I sometimes let the world creep into my thoughts. That’s when I remind myself of why I did what I did or wrote what I wrote. Not because I wanted man to take note of it, but God. If we honor Him with our thoughts, words, and actions, then I believe we’ve given it to Him to use as He sees fit. That’s enough. God’s blessings my gentle friend and thank you for the reminder that “He sees.” I needed that.
I think the fact that “God sees” is a major factor in what keeps us going. It’s only with His grace, guidance, and encouragement that we are able to travel the path which allows us to serve others. And putting on His armor enables us to keep on going on God’s path where we are shielded and protected from the barbs of the enemy who constantly tries to knock or tempt us off of God’s pathway. I’m so grateful for your encouragement, my friend. You brighten and bless my day!
Given of your whole self can physically and emotionally deplete a person. I know, I’ve felt that way after serving on short-term mission trips. Like a bug in an electric zapper, I have felt zapped. it has always been a good type of exhaustion. When you’ve given your all and given to please the Lord, it is a good kind of tired. Far better than the feeling after unloading the last wagon of hay into the barn for the year. We just trust that our “God” accomplishments (not good accomplishments) will have long-term and heavenly effects in eternity. And btw: pork barbeque with all the fixen’s sounds like a great giving platform to the community! ;0)
We harvested hay yesterday, Ben. Your comment about unloading hay is certainly apt. The workers were tired, soaked, and exhausted. But the hay is in the barn! I can understand how your mission trips deplete you physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’ve never been on a longer mission trip (ours are usually one or two day activities), but with trips that you travel and are engaged in work day and evening, I know the exhaustion is extreme. But the reward is great. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for these good and thought-provoking words, so steeped and supported by God’s Word.
Thank you Maureen. I’m grateful for the blessing of your encouragement. Wishing you a week filled with joy!
Gentle reminders here Katherine, for practical Biblical living. Giving for me seems most from my heart when it is giving time. I will never get time back and there are no replacements or substitutes for it.
I agree, Marilyn, and I believe the gift of time is the most precious gift of all. For people of all ages, the sharing of our time with them makes a difference in their health and well-being. We aren’t meant to live in isolation. Our gift of time to others blesses them and us.
I love in the comments, the observations that your reminders are gentle. Thanks, Katherine, for pointing out the importance of hearts and where we put our trust. God bless!
Thank you, Nancy. Your reminder to put our trust in our Lord helps us remember to whom we give our heart. Wishing you a blessed week.
How true that “when we give our heart to Jesus, our future is secured with Him.” Blessings, Katherine.
We are truly blessed that our Savior loves us beyond our ability to comprehend. And our task is simple, give our hearts to Him. Wishing you joy and blessings, Diana.
That’s a great quote from Ed Sheeran. How true.
Thank you, Katherine, for your very meaningful post.
Giving our heart is something we should do every day. It’s not a one time gift and we do need to guard where we give our devotion. Our heart is God’s garden.
I love that picture, Barbara–“Our heart is God’s garden.” He nurtures, waters, nourishes, and cares for us and we grow. He sends us on our way to nurture others. Thanks so much for adding your insight and wisdom. You’ve blessed us today.
I think his quote fits the way we authors, bloggers, and speakers feel when we publish a book or blog message or speak with a group. We’ve put our heart into our ministry of service and we feel vulnerable. But God is with us. I’m so thankful for His guidance and protection.
So true. Writing is look putting my heart out there and praying someone doesn’t stomp all over it. I am hoping to start a similar equine facility here in Mt but for those struggling with chronic illness and their families.
Yes, we put our writing out there and often we do get stomped on. Those rejections are tough! But our loving Father continues to support us on our journey. I’m so thankful for His steadfastness and encouragement. I hope your dream to start an equine facility for those struggling with chronic conditions becomes a reality. I know it would make a positive difference in the lives of those families. Praying for you!
Sounds wonderful! God bless your facility and your writing.
As I read the Sheeran quote, I thought “that sounds a lot like I feel with my writing.” Both songs and devos (or books) are an art form and certainly come from the hearts. I’ve never thought about how writing parallels with our service endeavors, but it certainly does. Thank you for helping me see the most important thing is to love Jesus first with all my heart. If we obey that command, then all else usually falls into place.
I’m still working on that command myself, Candyce. I still sometimes slip into my old ways of thinking I’m in control. I’m so thankful that God continues to be patient with me and picks me up when I stumble and helps me get back on the right path. Wishing you joy and blessings on your journey.
I love your posts, Katherine. Thank you for bringing our focus to loving God. Our hearts are always safe with Him.
Thank you, Katy. You inspire me, my friend. Wishing you joy and blessings this holiday weekend.
Hey, Katherine, you know I loved that your church does such a wonderful fund raiser for equine therapy for children! And I especially appreciated your thoughts on our concern whether any one will value the things we pour our hearts into. Your statement says it so well: “At times, we feel vulnerable when we are giving with our heart, but when we give our heart to Jesus, our future is secured with Him. We will no longer feel unloved.”
Another good post, sharing on Twitter.
Thank you, Martin. I appreciate your support and encouragement. Hope your day is blessed with joy!
Great message Katherine. It is important to share our hearts even if others don’t like our message. Thanks for sharing
You’ve shared a important point, Yvonne. Not everyone will like us or our actions as we follow our Savior’s guidance. Thank you for reminding us that it isn’t their opinions that matter, but our commitment to following God’s will. Wishing you continued blessing in your ministry of service to our Lord.