I want to live
I want to give
I've been a miner for a heart of gold
It's these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm gettin' old
Neil Young
Remember the heart shaped tree at the end of our street? Well, it is now a heart of gold! I believe that God wants us to develop a heart of gold. Full of kindness, love, and encouragement. It seems a bit easier now that I'm in my golden years. I already have a head start with three golden teeth! Four year old Anne and Ella want to see those teeth all the time! So I open wide and pull my cheek back for them to peer inside. They think it's totally cool, and I look like a pirate. The other day, Ella asked me how I came to get gold teeth. Not a pleasant story, and I had to tone it down considerably so as not to cause bad dreams. Similarly, I do think that developing a heart of gold can be a refining process. If we had no pain and angst in our lives, how could we ever truly sympathize with others? Here are some other things that give us a heart of gold.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear." Proverbs 25:11
31 comments:
A lovely post Ginny. The older I get, the more I realize that each of us has burdens to carry and a listening/compassionate heart is such a blessing.
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday.
Beautiful post, Ginny. I am continually impressed by the profound and simple truisms that you create from just a word or two or an image. You never disappoint.
I love Neil Young's Heart of Gold. I remember a lifetime ago when I was 25 maybe, and living in San Diego, he came through on his Harvest tour. It was sometime back in the mid-70's. I still have the Harvest album. He's a marvel.
God put the tree there to remind us of his love.
I don't go to the beach a lot. too cold in winter, too lazy all the time. The only times I go is Wednesday when I go to Mt Albert Baptist Church to teach adults ESOL, and in between, if I like it I go.
Sometimes, I blog at lunch time.
http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2009/11/scenic-sunday.html
This is another park near by. I joke I go and have a date with my handsome wind/kite surfer.
Well I can't forget those words..and think your right on! To keep our hearts open and yet..how could we sympathize without that refining process?..the deep work that at least takes some kind of willingness on our part? Age is humbling..and boy the lack of softness can show if we don't submit huh! Well God was nice in bringing me back to learn some things over!
That is so cute mate (lol).
What a lovely post Ginny. The tree is even more beautiful as a golden heart, perfect for Neil Young's words.
You definitely have a heart of gold.
As usual, you have "a way with thoughts" (which goes deeper than to just have "a way with words")... Always interesting and encouraging to follow how your mind makes its way from one thing to another. :)
That really is a lovely tree. I too have some special trees (although not heart-shaped) in which I love to follow the changes of the year.
Oh Ginny. What a beautiful post. I am glad your teeth are better. It's no fun to have tooth pain.
I really liked this....
Well said and beautifully photographed!
Best,
Bonnie
Amen and amen! Thanks for early morning inspiration.
I remember an earlier post of yours, with this heart shaped tree, it was red then... If I remember correctly...
Yes, we must all have a heart of gold, full of sympathy and mercy... Have a blessed week Ginny...
Btw I just noticed on your blogroll that my latest post is showing 5 days ago?? I posted yesterday!!!
Great message this morning Ginny! You are an example of what you preach.
now you KNOW i am fretting over the rest of the story about how you got the golden teeth. YIKES you started a story without and end and i am thinking, when, why, how where WHAT?
you are so right about if we did not ahve troubles and hurts we could not empathize with others that do. I see things a lot differently from the bad things that happened to me in the past, MOST of which were my own choice and fault.
Beautiful devotional to start my day. Thanks so much for sharing! Love the photo of that heart of gold. May the words of my mouth...be acceptable in His sight today!
A heart of gold...how perfect! That's you, Ginny.
Beautiful post, my friend. Love that tree!
Love the Heart of Gold tree! Great point, we need this heart
kim
The heart of gold tree is amazing :)
Thanks for your sweet and warm comments in my blog.
Thanks for a wonderful post. I really like your heart of gold tree.
Gorgeous heart of gold - which I think you have as well!
Wonderful post!! That is a great photo to go with the post.
Beautifully said and illustrated Ginny! You have a wonderful ability to match scripture with the everyday occurrences of life.
How beautiful, Ginny. You have a way with words and a camera. I just wanted to assure you I'm fine. As to the dresses the women were wearing - they dress that way all the time in the country though their saris are not always as clean as the ones in my pictures. India is a very traditional country and except for a handful of young women in the city they dress classically. That is less true in Nepal.
I hope all is well. Blessings...Mary
HI Ginny, Great post--as usual.. God does want us to have hearts of GOLD.... AND--as you said, life experiences can help us to understand what others are going through.
Love that TREE...
Hugs,
Betsy
Great post and I love the tree, that is awesome! hugs.
You bring out such excellent points with your words and photos.
Zechariah 13:9
"I will bring that group through the fire
and make them pure.
I will refine them like silver
and purify them like gold.
They will call on my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘These are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
We are refined by the trials and fires of life.
I think God works on our hearts - and in the end they can be gold or bitter - what do you think?
sandie
Beautiful words, Ginny - and so true! Although I've never met you, I sense your heart of gold! And your light does shine!!
beautiful post. i love the tree. to understand and to be compassionate is what we needto do to each other. thanks for your sweet words on my post re decorations. i also have cute christmas dinnerware. be on the lookout. take care. rose
I love the connections you make with an object, perceptions, and words from the Scriptures. Very beautiful...the post and the tree.
Enjoyed going through the lyrics from the Neil Young song. Can't remember how long ago it's been since I listened to that number. Used to be a favourite back then. The heart-shaped tree (wouldn't have imagined that there is such a thing if not for your post) is gorgeous!!
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