That Heart of Yours.

     Hey, you. Whoever you may be reading this... girl or boy, Christian or not, single or taken. I want YOU to realize your worth and precious value by the Creator of this world. Nothing can compare or even touch the surface of the depth and width of His love for you. You were made from the beginning and no one on this earth is like you. YOU are unique and of great importance in the Master's eyes. So intricately made and formed that he knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows the color of your eyes, your burdens, your desires and dreams, your failures, your exact facial definition, your past and future, every crevice in your skin, the tone of your voice, your every thought... Okay, I think you get the point. :) God, in His total right to leave us in our sin, decides to personally know and care for us!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..."

~Jeremiah 1:5

     Weighing in at 10 ounces, the blood-filled muscle called the heart has become the universal sign for love. I think we can all agree that we have a natural desire to love and be loved. Again, this is part of the way God wired us! Some of us express that desire through words, actions, writing, or singing. But what if we started focusing more on loving our Creator, the guy who loves us with ALL He is and ever will be. What if we fixed our affections onto Jesus, and expressed to Him how much we love him... 

     Nowadays, people throw around their heart like it is of no value. They look for acceptance, fulfillment, and the hope to be loved back by allowing anyone, at any time, to come and slowly take pieces of it away. They continually feel brokenness and heart ache time after time again. Why? Simply because they aren't waiting on the person God has personally made for them. Yes, YOU, God has created a special person for YOU. A person to share your laughs, troubles, and life with. Until you meet this person, God expects you to guard your heart! He hurts to see you carelessly throw it around to people just to end up devastated in the end. What peace does that bring? Maybe something temporary, but is it really worth it in the end? 

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

~Proverbs 4:23

       Often times people ask me why I don't date immediately after I get asked out, say yes to an opportunity for a relationship, or simply engage in what the world thinks of a typical teenage girl. In reply, I try to explain what God has shown me through being a Christian. He continually whispers in my ear... "My precious daughter, guard your heart. I didn't make it for anyone who wants it, but in reality, just for one special person. I know the temptations of this world convince you otherwise, but focus on my truths. Meditate on them. I LOVE YOU, and for now, I am the relationship you need to be focusing on." I know you're probably thinking that's pretty drastic, or maybe even pointless. Don't worry, you're not alone, because I once did too.  

       Why not just date to have fun? Why live in a "shell?" Why don't you just give it a try? You need to date to see what you like in a person... That isn't the popular thing to do... You're different... Why not just live your High School years out? JUST DO IT...

I'm continually confronted with questions and comments like these. Some times I'm not quite sure how to answer, but then that is when God steps in and says.. "Maddy, you do know. You understand the value of your heart. You understand how much I love you." It is then that I can shrug it off with a smile on my face and realize one of my purposes as a Christian: To follow Jesus' commands, live them out, and pray that others will do the same. 

       Although my view on relationships and the value of our hearts differ from most teenage girls, I am still normal. I still hangout with people, want a relationship, and do the typical things teenagers do. The only difference is that I am learning to rely on God's PERFECT timing instead of my own. A timing that I will never be able to fully grasp, but that I understand enough to put my total trust in. I praise God for taking his truths, penetrating them into my life, and in turn being able to share them with you. I pray that YOU realize just how special the Father made YOUR heart. Take care of it, for after all, it is the wellspring of life. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and HE will make your paths straight."

~Proverbs 3:5-6