Keeping the Screens in Good Repair

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Guarding your heart must be an intentional choice. In a world overflowing with temptations it is very important to put safeguards in place to protect the core of all your decisions and values. If you don’t you are at a very great risk for regret and difficult consequences.

The other day I was reading in my favorite rocking chair while a cool breeze fluttered in through the open window. Usually this would not be a problem but because Cherokee, our German Shepherd, had tried to get my attention through the window one day it did not have a screen. Since we do not have air conditioning, I decided that it would be okay to open the window anyway. Other than a few bugs here and there, no problems had occurred – until this day.

I was interrupted from my novel by a whoosh near my ear. I jumped up as I realized a confused sparrow had flown through the open window and was frantically circling the room. I called for Nathan and we shut all the living room doors so that the scared bird wouldn’t fly into another area of the house. We held our breath while we waited to see if he would break anything during his desperate attempts to find the exit.

Finally, I opened the top half of the tall farmhouse window. After making a final pass around the room our little intruder darted through the opening and escaped to the very top of the tall tree in the yard. I slammed the window shut and determined not to open it again – no matter how hot it is –  until we could replace our much needed screen.

Why, when we are often so careful with somewhat insignificant things like screenless windows, do we leave our heart wide open for all sorts of temptations to fly in? What enters our heart by way of our eyes and ears can do irreparable damage. Thoughts turn into beliefs, and beliefs turn into actions. Before you know it, all the values you hold dear are shattered and only heartache is left lying all around.

The wise writer of Proverbs advises, “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” These are some important ways to guard your heart.

If you keep the screens on your heart by choosing to watch wholesome movies, making appropriate friends, listening to uplifting music, and going to respectable places, then you will lessen the likelihood of a stray temptation flying into your heart. This is the way of wisdom and those who follow it will not be disappointed.

You never know when a misdirected sparrow might try to fly through an open window. Above all else keep your screens repaired and guard your heart carefully. It is the wellspring of life!

Love,

Mama