A Little Heart's-ease

"You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth

 by the Master Craftsman."

Max Lucado

I've shared this story before. It's one of my favorite stories. It's simple and easy to understand. When I was a new Christian and felt God leading me towards writing notes to encourage, this story helped me believe I was doing something good for God even though it was something little. As it turns out, I did it faithfully for over 30 years and God rewarded me over and over in my heart.

Many people feel like they don't do enough for God when their gift seems small and insignificant. I learned if you are faithful with what God has given you to do, you not only will help others, but God will bring you joy in what you do.

The story is told in Volume One of "Streams in the Desert." I would share this story when I spoke on note writing. It's about a small flower that does what it was put here to do.

I didn't know what a heart's-ease was so I looked it up in the dictionary: a heart's-ease is another name for the viola tricolor flower, a hybrid plant derived from crossing certain species of the genus Viola and having small, spurred, variously colored flowers; is a common European wildflower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white.

"A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. 'Well, heart's-ease, I'm glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened.' 'No, I am not of much account, but I thought if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart's-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart's-ease that I can.'"

What has God given you to do? Are you doing it? Do you think what you do isn't noticed? Do you feel small and over looked? Some would think note writing isn't much. What does it take to write a simple, little note to someone. What difference could it possibly make?

"Others may do a greater work. But you have your part to do;

And no one in all God's heritage Can do it so well as you."

Unknown

God has given few people great gifts but He has equipped every one of His children to accomplish whatever He has purposed for them. As that little heart's-ease demonstrated, whatever God has give you to do, do it to the best of your ability. We all matter in God's Kingdom and must all use our gift(s) so that His perfect plan is realized.

"There is always a certain peace in being what one is, in being that completely."

Ugo Betti, Italian judge, author and playwright

"I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be, for I have also learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not our circumstances."

Martha Washington

So whether you're a little heart's-ease, a Japanese maple or a mighty oak, do it! You will find satisfaction in your work and joy in your heart because you are using the special gift(s) God gave to you. I can testify to that!

"Now may the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing His will,

and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him . . ."

Hebrew 13:21

In this new year be a heart's-ease. Be the best one you can be. Do it for God!

By His Grace . . .