Thursday, February 12, 2009

Are You Wearing Your Heart on Your Face?

















This is one of my favorite pictures of my kids from about 11 years ago.

It got me thinking about the old adage, "Are you wearing your heart on your sleeve?"

I never really understood that in my shallow thinking mind... wondering, "But, what if you aren't wearing sleeves? Are you heartless and unfeeling?"

ANYWAY... making more sense to me is "Are you wearing your heart on your face?"

SAY WHAT?

The WORD of God says this in Proverbs 27:19 - "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man."

I believe our face is a reflection of our heart. My husband always says my eyes speak VOLUMES! My lips can be smiling... and even carrying on pleasant conversation... but my eyes are throwing flames... like it speaks of here:

Job 15:12 (Amplified Bible) - "Why does your heart carry you away [why allow yourself to be controlled by feeling]? And why do your eyes flash [in anger or contempt]."

Sometimes... my language is syrupy sweet.... but my lips are pursed in frustration or disgust... and my eyes reflect the same.

Sadness and joy -

Proverbs 15:13 says this: "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."

I also find this....

Nehemiah 2:2 - "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."

When we experience fear... OH how our face... and sometimes body language can reflect that.

In Daniel 5:6 we read: "His ( King Belshazzar's) face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way."

That really makes me laugh. Call me weirdo.

I also read many scriptures that correlate "Haughty Eyes" with a "Prideful Heart."

But LOOK at what happens when we spend time with HIM... in prayer... in HIS WORD... when we let our heart reflect HIS love, HIS joy, HIS strength... no matter what circumstances we may be facing... what emotion we may be battling.

Psalm 34:5 - "Those who look to him are radiant."

Exodus 34:29 - "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai ...he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD."

Psalm 19:8 - "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

I don't know about you, but I want to work on this. I want my face to emulate true radiance from being with Jesus no matter what emotional roller coaster I am riding or circumstance that is encompassing my life.

SO, tell me, what kind of heart is your face reflecting?

p.s.... I hope for Valentine's Day it is reflecting a heart of LOVE for those closest to you.



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is odd to say this pic was taken 12 years about. That doesn't seem so long ago but I feel like our kids are so old. Where did that time go? I miss this age so much. Wish I could do it again....and pick out which years I want to skip:)

Unknown said...

Mary Beth...this is a precious post. Thank you so very much for the reminder...I needed it for this season in my life, it ministered to my heart...and was such an encouragement! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!
k

Unknown said...

Good and timely word, Mary Beth. I enjoyed the sscriptures you emphasized thw word with. Be Blessed. Cathi

Unknown said...

Perfect! Thank you for the reminder and the encouragement.

Anonymous said...

Great picture!

Cindy

Anonymous said...

You are a very wise woman. And you have beautiful kids. I think I would marry you all over again.

Would you marry me again?

Guess who?

Mary Beth said...

Yes my Valentine, I would marry you all over again. Only this time, let's go somewhere warm, sunny and tropical!

Love you.

Anonymous said...

Mary, you continue to amaze me with your writing and wisdom. Wonder where in the gene pool that all came from...not me. Dad is pretty wise, but he doesn't write.
Love you...mom

Anonymous said...

I forgot to mention that you and Steve made me two beautiful grandchildren...cute picture.

proud grandma

Anonymous said...

your post was amazing- and really made me reflect on my "face"... it is oh so true and something i have definitely been working on!!! Thanks for the words :-D

miss you!
Sarah Robbe

Anonymous said...

Love the picture of Weston and Brianna. That's probably about how old Dave and Weston were when they met at camp that summer. :) Your blog is very cool! Enjoyed it!

Anonymous said...

Great thoughts Mary Beth!!

Anonymous said...

Good word.

Kim

Anonymous said...

Mary Beth! Always enjoying your writing....always centered on the Word and so encouraging. Full of humor and truth. Keep em coming!