What is in Your Heart?

Last month I read an incredible blog post by the Modern Mrs. Darcy. The post discusses how, as a mother, it is so easy to get caught up in the insignificant things that we fail to let our face show what is in our heart. She writes this, "One of my goals–my fuzzy goal–for 2013 is to cultivate a warmer atmosphere in my home. So much of that begins with me. And so much of that begins with the look on my face."

This truth really hit home for me and I have continually pondered it since I first read it. However, for me, this was most convicting not as a parent, but as a wife. I have not been doing a good job letting my face show my husband what is in my heart. 

As many of you know, we welcomed home our fourth baby at the beginning of January. As with every baby, we are in the process of learning how to be a family of six and how to function on very little sleep. I love the newborn phase. I love the sweet snuggles. I love the coos. I love the floppy heads. I love it all. For my husband, the newborn phase is challenging and exhausting. He loves spending time with our new baby, but he spends most of his time caring for the older three so that I have time to rest, nurse, and bond with the baby. However, instead of expressing my gratitude to him for taking a bulk of the work load off of me; I have been quickly annoyed when he talks of being tired and my words have been sharp and snappy (such as the time I accused him of not enjoying our family because he was worn out). To put it mildly, more often than not, my face has shown Jason frustration rather than what is truly in my heart.

What is in my heart? For starters there is commitment, joy, security, love, respect, peace, and adoration. It is important to note, that a bulk if what is in one's heart is a choice. I choose to love and remain faithful my husband every day. I choose not to allow my heart to entertain the thought of another man. If I take a lot of precautions to guard my heart, shouldn't I make the choice to let my heart shine through my face?

I have always struggled seeing "the big picture" and am a very in the moment girl. While that is part of my personality, I can't let it dictate what I choose to communicate through my face! The commitment and love that is in my heart is far more important to express than any temporary struggle. My challenge is to let my unconditional love for my husband radiate through my face no matter how I am feeling!