Grandpause: Blessedness does not lie in externals. -Thomas Watson

Her name was Susan Walker. We were both in the fourth grade and I was gobsmacked by her beauty. She was my first crush and I was obsessed by thoughts of her. At least until I turned on the Mickey Mouse Club program after school and the angelic face of Mouseketeer Annette Funicello appeared on the screen. My heart pounded when a camera zoomed in for a close up, and I forgot all about Susan Walker.

As kids our hearts were in a constant tug-o-war with new things and people that competed for our heart’s attention. A nine-year old doesn’t often think about whether the tug at his or her heart is a good or not, or if it is something that will last. He’s just responding to a strong, exciting emotional pull that he may not have experienced before. It’s hard to resist.

As adults one would hope that we have a little better sense about guarding our heart than most nine-year olds. After all, Solomon warned us to “above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Unfortunately, wisdom doesn’t always drive our choices, even as adults. But, now that we’re older and hopefully wiser, we’ve been around the block enough times to know that what Jesus said about our hearts is true. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This might be a good time for an honest heart check.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner and images of red hearts everywhere, I thought it might be a valuable exercise for us to examine some heart issues. As grandparents it’s an important exercise because if we expect to make a significant impact upon our grandchildren hearts, we will need to do check our own hearts first. So, that’s what we will do.

Susan Walker and Annette Funicello may have been two short-lived heartthrobs of my life, but the truth is that there are many more dangerous things in life that tug at my heart and can take it captive if I am not on guard.

Over the next few weeks, we will examine EIGHT HALLMARKS of a guarded and healthy heart. Seven of these we’ll examine from Jesus teaching in what we label the Beatitudes from Jesus so-called Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5.

Hallmark #1: A HUMBLE Heart

Jesus proclaimed, “blessed are the poor in spirit”. This is an interesting phrase, for it literally means something akin to beaten to your knees in need. It is the description of one whose heart is utterly dependent upon God in everything. That is a definition of humility. The opposite of humility is prideful self-reliance and self-centeredness.

What would your grandchildren say about the condition of your heart in this matter? Will they see an example of a humble heart in you?

Hallmark #2: A REPENTANT Heart

“Blessed (happy) are those who mourn,” Jesus declared. Sounds a little weird, doesn’t it? What does ‘happy’ have to do with mourning? But our quandary is the result of some faulty thinking. We tend to equate happiness with circumstances that are going our way. Jesus doesn’t. He knows this world is filled with trouble, but He also knows the final outcome. Our happiness is rooted more in our security in His promises than in present circumstances. At least it should be.

And what’s more, the kind of mourning Jesus is talking about is not what we normally think of when we lose a love one, or our house burns down. It actually has to do with passionate lament. I believe Jesus is talking about the kind of mourning Nehemiah demonstrated when he wept over the condition of his dear Jerusalem.

Jesus is trying to get across that those who mourn over sin and the effects of sin in our community and world, are in a position to receive the blessings of God. That is especially true when, like Nehemiah, we acknowledge and mourn over our own sin. It’s called repentance. A repentant heart opens the door for God’s grace and blessings. He who mourns over sin, both in the world and in his own life, is able to enjoy the freedom and comfort God wants pour out in his heart.

When was the last time you mourned and wept over the condition of the world we have left to our grandchildren, or your own sins? It’s easier to cast blame or rationalize sin, isn’t it, than to acknowledge it and mourn over the bondage sin imposes upon us? The mourning Jesus speaks of is no that which paralyzes us, but frees us to love in both word and deed.

Without a humble heart and a repentant heart, it will impossible to cultivate the remaining hallmarks that distinguish a guarded and healthy heart. Check in next week.