I bought tickets for my mom and I to attend TOFW this year...but thanks to Covid it was transferred to a virtual event. You got access to the videos to watch at home at your convenience (as well as some other items.) I've been watching them and was really touched by Emily Orton's message (among others). Her message was all about "How's your heart?" She compared our hearts to play dough...they can be soft and pliable and easy to mold into whatever the Lord needs it to be or hardened and unable to be molded.
She told a couple of stories about keeping our hearts soft. I was really touched by these three stories:
A friend of hers named Ally got married and soon her husband began to be sarcastic and demeaning. Time passed and things became worse and worse. He was dismissive, demeaning and abusive. She didn't like how he treated her, but she also didn't like who she was becoming. She left and brought her 3 kids with her. She turned to Christ and He showed her what was possible--who she could become. So she got divorced and despite the pain and difficulties, she is whole and strong. (I'm sure there is a lot more to this story, but I still love it.)
Her friend Erin had 2 miscarriages and was heartbroken. She was pregnant and worried but hopeful. She went in for an appointment and her regular OB/GYN wasn't there. The woman who saw her looked and announced there was no heartbeat and she would need to come back for a procedure to take care of the miscarriage. She returned for the procedure and in both encounters felt like the woman was lacking compassion. She felt deeply hurt and she was mourning. She never wanted to see this woman again. That morning of the follow up appointment, she poured out her heart to God. And God told her to write a letter of gratitude for this doctor's expertise and help. She didn't want to but as she began to write, her heart healed and she actually felt gratitude. She took the note and set it on the doctor's desk and the whole appointment went better and she felt healed.
Her friend Gabby was a department head. She was in conflict with another department head. She went to her boss for advice. Her boss said she needed to be direct...go straight to this other dept. head and confront her...be touch and fight for herself. Her boss said she would never get ahead in life--she was too nice. But Gabby was a survivor of abuse and had decided who she wanted to be. She knew that real strength comes from being true to your values. She said to her boss that he might see it as weakness but she knew it takes courage to be kind. She said, "I will give kindness for contention, forgiveness for foul and I'm strong enough to pass through pain without passing it on."
Emily Orton said the lessons we can/should learn are:
1. Your heart matters. Take time.
2. You choose your heart. Take ownership.
3. A soft heart takes courage. Take care.
*I can choose how to respond to situations.
*I can forgive even when it is soul-stretching to do so.
*If I pray to want to want to do something then God can change the desires of my heart.
*Gratitude melts feelings of hurt and anger.
No comments:
Post a Comment