CRUSTY OR NOT
By Sally I. Kennedy
January 16, 2011


Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts Psalm
95:7-8, Hebrews 4:7

The snow had been piling up by the sidewalks in town for months. Huge
mounds of it as tall as a small child. Topside, it was sooty from the
traffic. On the edge, it looked clean where it was starting to melt
off. I could not resist sticking my boot in, to see if it was as soft
as it looked. Yes, it was light as a feather. The top was crusty,
though, and in some parts icy.


Amazing that moisture can surround dust particles in the air, and we
have beautiful, intricate snowflakes, and then a picturesque
blanketing of snow. As my toe dipped into the snowpile, I thought how
like that snowbank I'd been at times.


God creates us in His image, with soft hearts; merciful, loving,
generous, kind. How in the world had my heart gotten so hard
sometimes? "In the world", the answer.


There is an answer to 'hardening of the heart'. If we keep our focus
on adverse circumstances in our lives, our hearts are more likely to
become hardened. Even crusty sometimes. Like day-old bread. Times like
these if we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith, our hearts are more likely to remain more similar to His.


Lord, thank You for Your presence, and I ask Holy Spirit to pour out
grace for me to purpose and decision to keep my eyes on you, Today, no
matter what things look like on the surface. Guard my heart to keep it
soft rather than crusty. In Jesus' name, Amen.

inspirational messages by Sally I. Kennedy
Sally I. Kennedy, ©2011