Blessings Blog: The Heart of God

I just had another opportunity to visit my brother who lives north of Los Angeles. He has recently moved to a very nice, four-bedroom home, and our stay was relaxed and comfortable. We didn't do a lot in the area other than spend time with Karl. Since my visits are infrequent, it is nice just to take time to be with him.

One of the neat things about Karl’s new home is the big, beautiful orange tree in his backyard. Oh my... those oranges are fantastic! My son and his family visited the week before, and Karl made sure that they left plenty of those sun-kissed treats on the reachable parts of the tree for me. Ever since he’s lived in California, Karl has attempted to grow different varieties of fruits and vegetables. He has come a long way from when he produced his first ear of corn that was about 2” long with maybe 3 kernels on the cob. So, he had some tomatoes that he was allowing to ripen inside as the weather had taken a bit of a turn, and he didn't want to possibly lose them to frost.

He showed me a tomato or two and said that the variety was known for its heart shape. As I looked at it, I thought that maybe I was missing something. Karl insisted that it did look like a heart, but we both eventually came to the agreement that it actually looked like the real human variety vs. the Valentine heart shape, which we have come to associate with that special day in February. There was also an orange with that same type of shape, but again arguably, it didn't quite have the look of a Valentine heart, as it was missing the two top curves and the very pointed bottom to which we are accustomed.

Karl and I took a walk with his dog, and I decided to look for something natural that was heart-shaped on our path. We walked along a trail into hilly terrain, and there were quite a few trees and bushes along the way. It was there that I spotted an amazing red leaf. My brother argued that it had a bulge on the side, but there is no mistaking that it is an actual Valentine heart shape, unlike the orange and tomato. From my research, I have decided that this is likely a Disanthus cercidifolius from the hamamelis family of flora (try saying that ten times fast, if you can pronounce it at all - Lol!) I also found a heart-shaped rock that I cannot verify was there solely through natural means or if someone took a chisel to it to leave for path-takers to wonder.

In seeing hearts in nature, whether in the shape of what is pounding inside each human chest or the kind we associate with Valentine’s Day, it occurred to me that everything God has given us to enjoy is marked by His heart and love. Mountains, trees, seas, and animals great and small bear the heart He has for us as His most special and spectacular creation. Psalm 136 records verses of thanks and praise for the God who’s “love endures forever.” It mentions many things that bear God’s heart for this world through what He has made:

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. who made the great lights- His love endures forever. the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever... He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136: 1-9, 25-26 (NIV)).

God’s enduring love is evidenced in all that He has given. Of course, not everything is in the shape of a heart, but with spiritual eyes we can see God’s heart manifested in every single part of His creation. Let your spiritual eyes gaze on the wonder of all His works to see the very heart of God!

Family Activity: Heart Hunt

This month’s activity is a game that will engage all in looking for what has become known as the universal symbol of love... the typical Valentine heart. You can play this game in your home, another indoor location, or outdoors in your neighborhood, a park or elsewhere, if the weather permits. It’s up to you as to where you would like to explore.

Have all create the heart shape with their fingers. You may also want to provide a picture of a heart or a cutout heart shape for your little ones. The idea is to find as many heart-shaped images as possible, either those that are intended or those that have been formed unintentionally or can be seen in or on something else. Take pictures, if you like (may be used in the “Living the Word” segment this month). Keep track of who is the first to spot them; you can play competitively or all just enjoy the challenge together as a family.

As with my brother’s tomato and orange, give some leeway as to what will be counted. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, perception of form can be as well, and some of the younger or more creative participants may see something our own eyes will not. Of course, you can be the judge if a find is absolutely not a heart but, as always, the idea is to have fun doing this activity together.

A variation of this game is to take a swatch of material that is red and have children try to find as many matches as possible to that color. I will never forget the season of planning for my first daughter’s wedding when I carried a red piece of material in my purse so that I had an example on hand for comparison with prospective items to purchase. My grandsons, six and eight at the time, were constantly looking to hold that material sample and see just what would match with it. They compared colors in my home, in restaurants, and in the car. It became such a centerpiece of entertainment, that I regretted not keeping the material around for a while to continue the game when we were together.

In the midst your game time, talk about the big heart God has for us. Remind your family members that anytime they see a heart shape they can remember His amazing love as evidenced in sending His Son to die for our sins. Recite the oft quoted verse from John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Above are some of our unusual finds.

Living the Word: A Heartfelt Gift

Use the heart pictures you have taken and your imagination with heart-shaped images to send a unique card to family and friends. Take pictures of your family members and integrate the images to create a very special Valentine. This can, of course, be done electronically via all the latest technological devices, but you may want to go “old school” and send a hard copy version to someone who is perhaps near in heart, but far away physically.

The card in the picture was sent to my parents when my first son was about three and a half. We were living in Germany, and they were in New York State, so pictures meant a lot and were not automatically available and able to be sent instantly. It was likely well received and much appreciated by grandparents who missed their grandson terribly. The card had been kept throughout the years and was found in Dad’s home after he passed away.

The King and Queen of hearts from an old deck of cards were used on the front cover. The picture was taken the previous Christmas, but Kris was donning a red vest, so it worked. A doily over a white heart is the setting for the photo, and words were added to fit the design and convey the sentiment. Voila – a card for that special someone. Sophisticated? No. Cherished? Yes!

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)).

What's New?

Product Update

• Work continues on songs for CD #3. We covet your prayers as we continue to move forward on this project.

Upcoming Events

Look for us at the following venues:

• Great Homeschool Conventions (GHC) at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX: February 12-14, 2015


• Home Instruction Ministries (HIM) presents the 2015 Spring Curriculum Fair at The Ranch Complex, Larimer County Fairgrounds, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO 80538: March 13-14, 2015


• Great Homeschool Conventions (GHC) at the Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH: April 9-11, 2015


• Fort Bragg Post Exchange at 2053 Sturgis Street, Fort Bragg, NC 28307: April 27-May 3, 2015


• North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) Conference at the Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, NC: May 21–23, 2015


• Fort Drum Post Exchange at 10730A Enduring Freedom Drive, Fort Drum, NY 13602: May 26–30, 2015


• Loving Education at Home (LEAH) Conference at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY: June 4–6, 2015


• Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) Conference at the Denver Mart, Denver CO: June 18–20, 2015


• The 4th Annual Christmas Expo sponsored by Q102.7 KBIQ Radio at the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80909: 9:00am–6:00pm, November 21, 2015