IN ME: HERE'S MY HEART!

This week, we're talking about being led by the Holy Spirit of God. In order to become His children, we have had to say,

• "It's not about me!" (blessed are the poor in spirit)...
• "I'm so sorry for all the things I've done!" (blessed are those who mourn)...
• "Here's my heart, God...I want to let You take the reins of my life!" (blessed are the meek/gentle)...

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In fact, without a heart...there would be no life! There are different ways to look at the word "heart". Of course, we often connect February with hearts because of Valentine's Day. Here are 3 other ways to view heart:

• The emotional / relational heart. When this "heart" is broken or damaged, it can be devastating. It can lead a person into depression or an inability to live life to it's fullest. Healing needs to take place via love, encouragement, and time.
• The spiritual heart. When this "heart" is broken or damaged, it is caused by sin. This leads to devastating spiritual consequences. Healing for this heart can only happen with a spiritual heart replacement or transplant. Once a person makes a decision that he/she wants Jesus to be LORD, then at baptism, Jesus gives that person a new "heart" as the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in that person and give life in Him! That's our subject of discussion this week!
• The physical heart. When this "heart" is broken or damaged, it can be devastating. It can mean the end of this life here on earth unless the person gets a replacement or a transplant. Healing takes place only upon receiving a new heart that is a match and the body chooses not to reject it. That's our subject of discussion today!

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Little three year old Lauren needs a heart transplant.

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I met Cristi Schwamb and her daughter Lauren recently. Cristi and my niece Vanessa are friends and go to the same church in Fairfax, VA. I can only say that the Holy Spirit of God has orchestrated what I am about to tell you and for that I am so thankful.

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I live 18 miles southeast of Philadelphia. Cristi and her daughter Lauren have come to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to await a heart transplant for Lauren. My niece Vanessa let me know. I have family members who have had heart transplants. All of my four children have spent time in hospitals, including children's hospitals. Cristi's children have allergies, mine do to. Cristi grew up in a military family. Her husband is military. I grew up as an army brat. Cristi attended a christian college. So did I. Cristi is a teacher by trade. So am I. Cristi now home schools her children. I have homeschooled my children. Cristi really likes mexican food and chocolate but does not tolerate dairy well. Same here! Hmmm...

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Then, there are others from the Pitman church like:

• Marlene has a son with PKU who has been in CHOP, even recently. Marlene and I went to visit Cristi and Lauren on Sunday.
• Brenda's son had to have a tracheotomy and was in CHOP for 3 months! Cristi and Lauren may have to wait in CHOP for many months for the right heart! Brenda's daughter, Brianna, and Lauren look like they could be sisters.
• Alana's husband has worked at the Pentagon like Cristi's husband Tim. Alana, homeschools her kids, too. Alana has two children close to the ages of Cristi's other two children.
• Mandy grew up in the same part of Arkansas where Lauren's paternal grandparents live.
• Steve, my husband, upon his first visit with Cristi at CHOP found out that both she and her husband Tim had lived in Altus, OK where Steve's brother used to be the youth minister at their church.

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I am so grateful for all of these connections. Yet, I am more grateful that our God has the connections that it takes to get Lauren the perfect match for her heart. Oh, yes, I know that some other family will need to lose a child so that Lauren can live. It is sobering. Jesus lost His life so that I can live. Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but thine be done." That is the prayer that I am praying for Lauren and her family!

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Cristi has been on my mind so much the last few days. Her older two children have just been taken to be with her parents in Georgia. Her husband is headed out on assignment to Germany. Cristi sits in a hospital room with Lauren.

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Please help me to pray and encourage Cristi. Spread the word...go to Cristi's blog - and click on the Blog Archive for the one December 2008 post and watch the video of Lauren's story. Read through the blog as often as you can and leave lots of encouraging comments. Let's cover this family with prayer. Click on Lauren's picture over on the right column of this blog to access Cristi's blog OR just click the link below. God bless you!

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http://throughthecalmandthroughthestorm.blogspot.com/

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