Cultivating Heart

“Everything in our lives grows out of our heart.  So then that is where in everything we must begin.”
Loren Thornburg

Those who garden are very familiar with the cultivation process.  It involves preparing and working on land by labor and attention to raise a plant or crop.  Note two of the words in that definition: labor and attention.  Cultivation is not something that comes easily or quickly, but takes work and hours of attending to that which you want to cultivate.  Whether this takes place in our gardens or in our lives we all have roots that need cultivation.  Growth will be hindered if the roots are not in an environment that fosters growth.  In our lives everything grows out of our hearts.  This is the soil where our roots are planted.  So then we must be attentive to work at the things of our hearts.  If you don’t like what’s growing in your life it’s best to go to the roots as you would a plant, or weed.   Often we try to cut it off from the outside, creating an endless cycle of growth and need for cutting.  Until eventually we give up trying, giving our lives the potential to be filled with weeds and other unwanted growth.   What is your life cultivating?  It came from the heart and that is where you must go.  

“I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart, like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content.”
Psalm 131:2 Message

These words of David’s about a life of contentment are so inviting.  I don’t mean a life of settling but one of peace and enjoyment where what you have and where you are is enough.  Oh how much pain and harm could be avoided if our hearts could find themselves content.  in a culture that says more is better is it seems this can only happen by labor and attention.  We have to be intentional to cultivate a quiet heart and contentment.  A quiet heart means we’ve removed all the noise.  I don’t mean avoiding all the noise but rather giving it to the Lord piece by piece.  In order to give it to Him we must stop long enough to see it and be aware of it.  We can’t give what we don’t know we have.  Often It’s easier to avoid because we don’t like what we see.  Yet, it’s the only way to a quiet heart.  So let’s start looking and cultivating hearts that are quiet and content.  It’s takes work and time, but the pain of those things is worth the freedom of a content life.  You won’t want to miss it...no matter what time and painful work it requires.