Do You Have A Sweetheart?
By Kathleen Puccio
After hearing about the Star Wars movie, my seven year old grandson asked me how
it was possible that a nice boy would turn into the evil, hateful Darth Vader. I knew the
answer immediately. That very morning I had read “protect you heart from being
hardened” in the Bible. I told him that the little boy didn’t know how to protect his heart.
When we allow unforgiveness or envy to reside in our hearts we open the door for
bitterness, jealousy, and even hatred to grow. Soon, without us knowing, it has
changed us. Our heart has hardened, little by little, until our hearts can no longer
hold love, compassion, or forgiveness. We then cannot have a sweet heart.
Unforgiveness and envy are forms of disobedience and sin. Jesus told us to forgive our
enemies. The Ten Commandments warn us not to covet. If they are left unchecked,
these sins will slowly destroy us. This is how a woman becomes a nagging shrew, or a
man becomes a mean dictator, or even perhaps a Darth Vader (?). God cannot live in a
heart that has no room for love, compassion, and forgiveness. This is why He warns us to
protect our hearts. When someone hurts you, turn to Jesus. Ask Him to help you forgive
that person; not because that person deserves forgiveness, but because you need to
forgive; to protect your heart.
My grandson may have saved my life that day. As I studied and prayed I realized that
God prompted me to read that passage and directed my grandson to ask that question
to me. Yes, I had allowed unforgiveness to take residence in my heart, and I had become
somewhat bitter. I did not even realize I had been harboring unforgiveness.
My closeness with Jesus had been hindered. All I had to do was to give the
unforgiveness to my Heavenly Father and ask Him to take away the hurt, and the
bitterness. I then asked Him to help me forgive. It was like a heavy weight had been
lifted; a weight I didn’t even realize I carried for so long.
Thank you Father for using a child to make me see the truth,
and for Your perfect love.
By Kathleen Puccio
After hearing about the Star Wars movie, my seven year old grandson asked me how
it was possible that a nice boy would turn into the evil, hateful Darth Vader. I knew the
answer immediately. That very morning I had read “protect you heart from being
hardened” in the Bible. I told him that the little boy didn’t know how to protect his heart.
When we allow unforgiveness or envy to reside in our hearts we open the door for
bitterness, jealousy, and even hatred to grow. Soon, without us knowing, it has
changed us. Our heart has hardened, little by little, until our hearts can no longer
hold love, compassion, or forgiveness. We then cannot have a sweet heart.
Unforgiveness and envy are forms of disobedience and sin. Jesus told us to forgive our
enemies. The Ten Commandments warn us not to covet. If they are left unchecked,
these sins will slowly destroy us. This is how a woman becomes a nagging shrew, or a
man becomes a mean dictator, or even perhaps a Darth Vader (?). God cannot live in a
heart that has no room for love, compassion, and forgiveness. This is why He warns us to
protect our hearts. When someone hurts you, turn to Jesus. Ask Him to help you forgive
that person; not because that person deserves forgiveness, but because you need to
forgive; to protect your heart.
My grandson may have saved my life that day. As I studied and prayed I realized that
God prompted me to read that passage and directed my grandson to ask that question
to me. Yes, I had allowed unforgiveness to take residence in my heart, and I had become
somewhat bitter. I did not even realize I had been harboring unforgiveness.
My closeness with Jesus had been hindered. All I had to do was to give the
unforgiveness to my Heavenly Father and ask Him to take away the hurt, and the
bitterness. I then asked Him to help me forgive. It was like a heavy weight had been
lifted; a weight I didn’t even realize I carried for so long.
Thank you Father for using a child to make me see the truth,
and for Your perfect love.
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