The Position of the Heart

The title of this post may have been more meaningful if it were “The posture of our heart”; however, instead of perseverating over it last week, I just went with the one it has.The reason for the inspiration to change it has to do with the significance of the word posture here.  Because, as discussed in last week’s post, how we perceive ourselves–the story we make up about ourselves, if you will–does effect how our physical body behaves in space.For example, I noticed the right side of my body was angled forward, and even my neck yearned toward the right, displacing my actual head forward and to the right.  And, the left side of my body, where I perceive my heart to be, with a less subtle / more noticeable variation at the shoulder girdle, was angled backward.Trying to correct this postural issue exclusive of the spiritual and emotional components would, in my humble opinion, be foolish.And, considering I am a fool in training, I will admit, I spent many years trying to have this fixed without realizing the hurts and heartache of my past, and that of my ancestors that was passed down to me, had so much to do with it.I recently have been working with a gifted and talented osteopath who specializes in manual osteopathic manipulation.  A few weeks ago, about a week after I started graduate school, he was working on me and I noticed, when he placed his anointed hands beneath my left shoulder, my heart actually move forward in space.Without giving it too much further thought beyond the noticing, I traveled back home after my appointment and shared with a friend about intrusive thoughts I was having about withdrawing from the program.After hanging up with her, my heart filled with grief, and I looked to God in repentance.I repented for being “lazy” and incapable of following through on this heart’s desire and his call on my life.I then, with a sense of despair, laid down on my bed.And God spoke.First, he revealed to me several attempts a Sister in Christ made to encourage me to read (or listen to) a book called Atomic Habits and do the workbook.I thought of this book, which I had ordered, but left sitting filed with other of my “to-dos” and realized I am not alone (actually, I just had this revelation as I was writing this post) and how God truly does send his angels in the form of writers, authors, doctors, counselors, and other helpers.I then somehow organically connected with the work this practitioner did in his office, which was gently shift my heart forward in time notice here I used the word “time” instead of “space.”And another revelation came.My broken heart, which had become resentful, needed mending and softening before I could move forward and catch up with the healed and whole parts of me.”Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit” Psalm 51:10-12And he has.  Thank you, Jesus!But God did not shame me for having a broken heart.  He gently revealed to me it was that way, and why.  And he didn’t bully me into healing, either, but gently guided me and, as I was ready, he revealed.So I would be prepared to do the same for other of his children.Thank you, God, for your persistent, unfailing call on my life.  I wouldn’t be here today without having experienced your wrath and choosing to seek you.With humility and love,MicheleWrite to me!Please write to me and share something you struggle with in your physical body you think may have a spiritual / emotional connection.  I would be happy to help and pray about it with you!Next week: “Some say love”