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Stephanie Rische

Blogger and Writer: Capturing Stories of God's Grace

September 7, 2012

My Heart of Stone

Daniel and I recently went on a road trip to St. Louis with two goals in mind: to celebrate our first anniversary and to introduce ourselves to our new six-pound relative.

The moment we laid eyes on our little burrito-wrapped nephew, it was love at first sight. We spent the next several hours exclaiming over his perfect toes, his full head of hair, his tiny fingernails, his wide blue-gray eyes, his whispery eyelashes, his knobby knees. We delighted every time he opened his mouth to yawn or furrowed his eyebrows or made a gassy face (which we shamelessly interpreted as a smile).

He charmed us entirely, without a spark of effort of his part. We’d only just met this little human being, yet our hearts couldn’t be any more tender toward him.

Later that evening Daniel and I headed downtown, and as we walked around the city, I was reminded that my heart’s default setting is decidedly not tender.

I saw the old man with the sign that said, “HOMELES. Need $ for food.” I averted my eyes and walked right by, toward our hotel with the running water and the downy white comforter.

Then there was the crowd of drunk guys heading back from the baseball game, swearing and laughing and generally making fools of themselves. I cast judgmental thoughts in their direction and picked up the pace, not bothering to wonder what hurts they were seeking to drown.

After that we were approached by a man who seemed to suffer from some kind of mental illness and was desperate to share his three jokes with us. I nodded politely but uncomfortably and gripped Daniel’s hand a little tighter, willfully ignoring the loneliness that must have provoked such a solicitation.

Safely back in our room, I faced an ugly realization about my heart condition. I ignore the needy, judge the broken, brush off the lonely. My heart is a heart of stone.

How is it, I wonder, that this same heart that is so hard toward those on the city streets can melt on the spot for Baby Colin? It’s not that our nephew has done anything for us; we love him just because he’s family. Just because he’s ours.

Through the prophet Ezekiel, God gave a message to the exiles who were scattered in enemy territory. God promised that one day they would return to their homeland and that he would do an even greater miracle inside them:

I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

—Ezekiel 11:19-20

How quickly I forget how tender God’s heart is toward me, although I’ve done nothing to deserve it. He loves me just because I am part of his family. Just because I’m his.

I want that kind of a heart transplant—my old, stony heart in exchange for his heart. A heart that sees the sketchy, hard-to-love people under the streetlights the way God sees me. Tenderly. Responsively. As if they were my own family.

Because indeed they are.

I’ve taken the challenge of reading the Bible chronologically this year and tracing the thread of grace through it. These musings are prompted by my reading. I’d love to have you join me: One Year Bible reading plan.

8 Comments Filed Under: Family, Love Tagged With: apathy, compassion, Ezekiel, Family
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About Stephanie

I think that glimmers of grace are all around us, and I'd love to share those stories with you. I hope you'll grab a cup of coffee and join me at StephanieRische.com.

Quote of the Week

“Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
—Madeleine L’Engle

Discussion

  1. alice Teisan says

    September 7, 2012 at 8:36 am

    Wow Stephanie. You hit an issue we all struggle with and did it with transparency, honesty, and overflowing with grace. Thanks again

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      September 7, 2012 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks, AT!

      Reply
  2. Dan Elliott says

    September 7, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Stephanie, this is a convicting message, and artfully written, as always. How do I keep my heart tender when the needs around me are so much more than I can meet? Confronted by a world that is groaning in pain, I think you’ve found the first step, which is to see people as God sees them, with tenderness and compassion, and then to be listening to God and available to respond as directed. (And I love the baby pictures!)

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      September 7, 2012 at 4:49 pm

      That’s a great first step, Dan. Thanks for the reminder that it’s a process, and God usually takes us one step at a time.

      Reply
  3. Marilyn Kitchell says

    September 7, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    oh he is so darling !!!   thx. I too fight a heart of stone and pray along with you that He will give me a more tender heart of flesh.

    ________________________________

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      September 7, 2012 at 4:49 pm

      Thanks, Marilyn! I’m biased, but he is a pretty cute little guy. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Nancy Rische says

    September 8, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    I don’t think I am biased and I think he is adorable. I am too often “comfortable” with my life. Great reminder that other people have needs and hurts and praying to see beyond the hard shell outside to the inner man as God does.

    Reply
    • Stephanie Rische says

      September 9, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Grandmas are allowed to be biased. 🙂 Thanks for the note, Nancy.

      Reply

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