He had no idea how little it would take to touch her heart.
Their marriage was long-standing and so were their habits. Words danced off each other like pellets round a pond. She hid her heart from him long ago. He pretended he had no heart at all.
As I listened to their banter, I watched this couple of old.
What might happen if he sought her heart?
Would it bring her to life?
Would it change Him forever?
Sometimes I hear us talk about our faith and it reminds me of that couple.
What do you have for me today, God?
Why didn’t you do that yesterday, God?
A. W. Tozer says, “God is a Person, and in the deep of His mighty nature He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, desires and suffers as any other person may. In making Himself known to us He stays by the familiar pattern of personality. The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion.”
That changes my conversation with God.
As I seek His heart. . .
As I tap to the longings within. . .
This past week I went on a search for the Father’s Heart. Fifty times His word spoke of the orphan. Seventy times the widow. Oh, and the fatherless. Yes, He speaks of those just as much.
Forgiveness. There it is. Over 120 times in scripture. And love one another? Oh, goodness. Jesus earnestly led the disciples to love in His name over and over again.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5
Crazy, when you think that that what we talk about most are things like what we should or shouldn’t do — or more loudly, what others should or shouldn’t do — forgetting that the heart of our God is mercy.
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 (NIV)
He tells us that He loves it when we don’t overlook that one whose daddy left him cold or when we comfort the orphan who just wants to know she has a home. It lights Him up when we don’t forget the widow who misses the arms of her husband.
We discover that forgiving others gives a lot more room in our heart for Him to settle in. And that loving one another leads those who needs His love to the heart of the Father, and that changes them forever.
What if for the next few days we asked a new question?
Do we dare?
God, how might I make your heart happy today?
You might worry that this will lead you down a legalistic road. Trying to outwork or outlove God. Rather it’s just a simple question for someone you really care about. Who cares about you.
The answer has already led me places I didn’t think I’d go. Deeper. Farther. Surprising.
Sometimes it’s the littlest things that seem to be the biggest in this heart-to-heart relationship with God.
Not too long ago I happened to be with that couple again. She told him she wasn’t feeling well. His words, surprising. “Do you need me to do anything, hon?”
Like medicine His words were. Her smile lighting up like a candle. It took so little to make her heart glad.
Just to know that he was thinking of her, as well as himself.
Suzie
If your heart is wounded by people, it might seem impossible to love others well.
It might have even given you a jaded view of God and what His love looks like.
Please join me in The Mended Heart study with Proverbs 31 Ministries OBS team. Thousands of women are joining in. I’ll be there every step of the way. It’s not just for those who feel broken today, but who have felt that way ever.
It’s gentle. It’s transforming. It leads straight to the heart of a Father who came to heal the brokenhearted, help us see life in a new way, and release anything that keeps us stuck.
It’s convenient. You can study along with others. You can do it on your own. There are also some really fun moments when we all get together, if you want that, too.
It’s not too late to join. Here’s a link to a free sample of the book, just so you have what you need that first week.
Here’s the link to sign up for the study.
Here’s a link to buy the book. The study is free. The profits from the book goes right back into ministry to keep it free as P31 reaches women around the world with joy!
Speaking of links, I’m so excited today is #livefreeThursday! All day long we’ll be around the table talking about what it means when we say, “I give you my heart.”
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Oh Suzie, as always you help to lead me to go deeper!!!
Encouraging words for me today. I need to look God as my father, I need to change my vision and start doing things His way. I loved this -> “We discover that forgiving others gives a lot more room in our heart for Him to settle in” this is so true! Thanks for sharing and encouraging. Thanks also for hosting #livefree
Blessings always,
Tayrina
This week is hard for my kids as their dad is in heaven. I also looked up every scripture on widows and the fatherless and was stunned to see that God’s love and care for them is His very character. Thank you for good words this morning. Thank you for providing an encouraging spot and opening your space on Thursdays.
Lisa, your courage and faith is incredible. You are right, you are His heartbeat. A young widow with beautiful children. Thank you for sharing your life with us; it’s a gift.
“Sometimes it’s the littlest things that seem to be the biggest in this heart-to-heart relationship with God.” It’s always the littlest things. I cling to them with white knuckles so that I won’t forget them when the oversized, hard things show up. I love your description of that couple, Suzanne. Thank you for your beautiful writing and your prompting to go deep.
Whoops, I absolutely just hit “post” before signing my name. Is it Friday yet? 😉
Hey Meg, I appreciate you dropping in today.
Suzie, this tender post has reminded me that God is worthy of my trust, even in things that come close to my heart. Thank you.
Michelle, I see you holding that beautiful baby in your pic and the tender look you are giving that child. Imagine that ten thousand fold as Your Heavenly Father looks at you.
Oh Suzie, thanks for encouraging us to “make His heart happy today”. Only 4 more sleeps until the study starts!!!!!
Suzie, you are right, little things add up and have a big impact on relationships. I love how you highlighted God’s heart. When we remember His heart we want to open ours back. We love because He first loved us!
Isn’t it funny. Or sad. We often realize what we could have done to make another person feel loved only after they are no longer with us. We think about how a little time, a brief phone call, a kind word, a touch. . . how that would have mattered.
I want to live love big with people around me and live love big with a God that loves so well. Thanks, Debbie. I so appreciate you joining in the conversation today.
I don’t know why our links are hidden, but please click on the blue frog link below because there are a lot of amazing women sharing their hearts today.
Yes, I’m ready to go deeper… God, how might I make your heart happy? Setting that prayer in front of Him today, Suzie. .
Love this question, Suzie ~ “God, how might I make your heart happy today?” How beautiful! What a wonderful reminder to relate to our heavenly Father as One who is dearly loved.
I’m looking forward to beginning the online bible study for #TheMendedHeart – an opportunity to seek deeper degrees of healing and wholeness, and a chance to see into your heart, Suzie, and get to know you a little bit more.
Blessings and hugs,
Kamea
Not sure why my comment was posted as Anonymous. It was me, Kamea, cheering you on, sweet Suzie!
Much love to you!
I love this! It can be so easy to make things about ourselves and forget about the Father’s heart. Definitely going to start asking the question, “God, how might I make your heart happy today?” more often. Thanks for this post. 🙂
Beautiful. I’m learning that sometimes what makes God’s heart the happiest is when I just REST in Him, when I give him my longings and needs and trust. Thank you for this beautiful story and this linkup where women can share their hearts!
I love your photo! I have a heart just like that that I painted just yesterday.
I am loving your blog! So glad that I found it!
Thank you for the link up! <3