Breathings of My Heart
by Susan Miller
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” This quote by William Wordsworth is taped to my computer to inspire me when I sit down to write. So many times, I’ve done just that—let my heart breathe the words out loud as I write. And yet, lately I have felt like an empty canyon where words only echo off the walls, not off my heart.
If you’re like me, I’m sure at times you’ve felt empty, or at a loss for words—to console a grieving friend, to express your love, to say, “I’m sorry, I was wrongâ€, to ask for forgiveness, to convey your gratitude, or even to praise God.
Perhaps both of us need to be reminded that there will be dry and empty times when a loss of words leaves us feeling speechless. Sometimes I can’t “think on my feetâ€, as they say, and I fumble and bumble for the right words. I can feel something so deeply that I want to say, but the right words just don’t seem to come out.
I remember a time when I met a woman who had recently lost her husband to cancer. I so wanted to encourage her with words of hope, compassion, and empathy. My words seemed so trite and hollow. Nothing came out right and I knew I had missed the opportunity to console her.
As I sat in front of an empty screen on my computer, the breathing of Jesus slowly began to fill my heart. My confidence was slowly restored as I leaned into Jesus rather than myself for words and inspiration. He knew my fragile, weak places and began to strengthen my mind and heart as I recounted His word.
I couldn’t help but smile when I remembered part of the conversation between Moses and the Lord in Exodus 4:10-13 NLT. “But Moses pleaded with the Lord, O Lord, I’m just not a good speaker…. I’m clumsy with words.†And the Lord said, “I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say.†I too, have felt clumsy with words in both writing and speaking, but the Lord always leads me in the direction of what He wants me to write and say when I rely on Him to guide me.
It’s easy to get side-tracked from what you know deep down in your heart. Emotions can play havoc, the enemy can distract you, and you can lose your confidence pretty quickly. I know it, I get it, I live it. Sometimes we need a little nudge to center ourselves back on Jesus. It’s what He does through us, not what we do ourselves.
Here’s a little nudge to help you get back on track…
God will enable us with His strength do what He has called us to do.
God will equip and prepare us for what He has planned for us.
God will encourage us with His word and the assurance of His presence.
This much I know!
From My Heart to Yours,
I love the comfort that came through this thought process! Truly the Lord’s words!
Kathy,
I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
You are so helpful to me and so many. The longer I live the more decades I know people enduring cancer or loss of purpose and want to be a sunshine in their moment. I do better if in a face to face conversation.
But writing to a person far away I have to pray the one is trusting my Jesus as a close comfort.
Gayle,
Your words to me, either face to face, or in writing, have always encouraged my heart! Thank you for your comment!
Thank you, Susan! Such a helpful reminder!!! ❤️
Marybeth,
So glad you found my blog helpful! We all need reminders, myself included. Thank you for commenting!
I am not sure how to edit what I posted above since I forgot to add that the person I listen to is Dappy TKeys on youtube so I could credit his work. I also noticed a typo and do not know how to go back and correct it. Please help!
Here is the corrected copy:
Susan,
Thank you for your words of truth…truth about the hard places, the empty places, the missed places and our hearts’ longings…to be seen, to be heard, to be understood. To use our gifts to minister to others in their spaces and feel like we have nothing to give. I was listening to a video blog by Dappy T Keys, an instrumental Christian musician on youtube, who encourages me with his words as he shares his music. Today his key words of encouragement…”Little is much when God is in it. Do not despise the day of small beginnings.”
Zechariah 4:10 says: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
Thank you for starting and for the small beginnings that have and are ministering to so many. God is in the work you are doing and your seed planting is and will see a harvest. When you are growing weary, reflect upon all the bounty of what he has done so far and it will encourage you for what is yet to come and be done.
Be richly blessed,
Tina
Oh Tina, Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog, and not give up on the first go round! Your encouraging words ministered to my heart. I loved the quote by Dappy T Keys, and the scripture from Zechariah 4:10. I am truly richly blessed!
Thanks for the reassuring words sweetest friend! Love you!
Hi Tish!
Thank you for commenting on my blog. You are a faithful friend, and missed greatly. Love you back!
What you’ve said here is true. At times we are at a loss for words or bumblingly say things awkwardly. Daily it is for us accept our inadequacies and present them to Jesus then to do as he will with us a vessel of service to do the heavenly Father’s will. May we quiet our hearts, may we listen to Christ’s leading and may we be a conduit of God’s love and compassion to other.
Gwen,
Yes, Yes, and Yes! Your words speak truth! Being centered on Christ is the key. Thank you for this gentle reminder.