Open Heart Challenge Day 4

What Does an Open Heart Feel Like?

In 3 Nephi 19:33 we read, “And their hearts were open and they did understand.” Sister Pearce describes how an open heart works. “I can actually feel my heart change its physical size, texture, and position in relation to my spiritual condition. It gets hard and tiny and moves back into my chest wall when I am angry and withdrawn and self-absorbed. On the other hand, when I am filled with love and reaching out to others it softens and warms and moves forward; it is enlarged and full. The imagery works very well for me. The scriptures use it when it describes a heart softened and open or hardened and cold. And so does Dr. Seuss when he describes the Grinch’s heart as growing three sizes. These physical descriptors are essential for me to keep in mind because they are the signals I have come to rely on when I need to know to make a change in my heart. When I am shriveling inward crunched up with irritation and harboring a hardened, critical heart; as I physically drop my shoulders, breathe deeply, and expand my chest, it reminds me to drop my defenses and ask the Lord to open and soften my heart” (Ibid.)

I was the Recipiant of an Open Heart

Dan had a time last week when he and the students in seminary had taken time to journal. He felt inspired to be especially loving to the girls and me that day. I was running late to SLA (Homeschool Co-op) in Ft. Collins and the girls were still in bed when we should have already left. I expected to be met with disappointment when Dan saw my rush and haste to get the girls in the car. Instead of a hurried response, he greeted me with an open heart. I could feel a difference even though he probably would have carried the girls to the car either way. His kindness buoyed me up and that day turned out to be a day filled with learning and receiving inspiration. I believe that spiritual attunement was made possible because of Dan’s selflessness and willingness to help with a joyful heart.