A Heart for Christmas

Bird Lady: The man I loved fell out of love with me. That broke my heart. When the chance to be loved came along again, I ran away from it. I stopped trusting people.

Kevin McCallister: No offense, but that seems like sort of a dumb thing to do.

Bird Lady: I was afraid of getting my heart broken again. Sometimes you can trust a person, and then, when things are down, they forget about you.

Kevin McCallister: Maybe they're just too busy. Maybe they don't forget about you, but they forget to remember you. People don't mean to forget. My grandfather says if my head wasn't screwed on, I'd leave it on the school bus.

Bird Lady: I'm just afraid if I do trust someone, I'll get my heart broken.

Kevin McCallister: I understand. I had a nice pair of Rollerblades. I was afraid to wreck them, so I kept them in a box. Do you know what happened? I outgrew them. I never wore them outside. Only in my room a few times.

Bird Lady: A person's heart and feelings are very different than skates.

Kevin McCallister: They're kind of the same thing. If you won't use your heart, who cares if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my Rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose.

Bird Lady: Little truth in there somewhere.

Kevin McCallister: I think so. Your heart might still be broken, but it isn't gone. If it was gone, you wouldn't be so nice.

Bird Lady: Thank you. Do you know it's been a couple of years since I've talked to anybody?

Kevin McCallister: That's okay. You're good at it. You're not boring. You don't mumble or spit. You should do it more often. Just wear an outfit with no pigeon poop on it.

Bird Lady: I have been working very hard at keeping people away. I always think I'll have a lot of fun if I'm alone... but when I'm alone, it's not fun.

Kevin McCallister: I don't care how much people bug me, I'd rather be with someone than alone.

Bird Lady: So what are you doing alone on Christmas Eve? You did something wrong?

Kevin McCallister: A lot of things.

Bird Lady: Did you know that a good deed erases a bad deed?

Kevin McCallister: It's late. I don't know if I'll have enough time to do enough good deeds to erase all my bad ones.

Bird Lady: It's Christmas Eve. Good deeds count extra tonight. Think of an important thing you can do for others, and go do it. Just follow the star in your heart.

Kevin McCallister: Okay... It's getting pretty late. I'd better get going. If I don't see you, I hope everything turns out okay.

Bird Lady: Thank you.

Kevin McCallister: Tell the birds I said goodbye.

Bird Lady: I will.

Kevin McCallister: If you need somebody to trust, it can be me. I won't forget to remember you.

Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

All You Need is Love

I love Facebook.

It's so cool to be hooked up to people all over the world: cousins in Italy, sisters in Florida, like-minded writers, people suffering through health ailments as myself, organ donor families, and so many more. I receive blessings when people share goodness, struggles, sadness, loss, and stories of encouragement.

Last week I saw a post from a family on the East Coast about their little boy, Christopher. I believe he is five years old and can't go trick or treating due to illness and exposure to germs. Here is the picture and post:

"Someone likes his costume ... had it on 'till bedtime last night and put it on first thing this morning.

Any of you who live close that want to put snacks aside for him, please let me know. We can't do door to door trick or treating because of exposure risk, but he is still excited about Halloween. And thanks ahead of time for taking that extra step and thinking of our 'lil man. xoxo"

That post got me. I messaged his mom and asked if I could send a treat in the mail. She gave me her address and said they were limiting his sugar. But he liked salty snacks.

This is Christopher's story:

Christopher was born in April 2008 with non-compacted cardiomyopathy, a very rare condition where the heart muscle remains sponge-like after birth and causes the heart to be very weak. Christopher's cardiomyopathy affects his right and left ventricles where it is very hard for his heart to pump and function correctly. They said the only option we had to medically intervene, was a heart transplant. At that time, we opted against with only the very best quality of life in mind for him. We also didn't have guarantees he would survive if we attempted to transplant.

Christopher was not given very long to live. Six months at the most. But we believed that the doctors could tell us what they knew from books, but our Mighty God is the Great Healer and could fully heal his heart either way. We placed him at the Lords feet and asked Him to give us strength for whatever was His will. We knew he would be okay, but we would need some help. At 45 days old, he was admitted into hospice care where he remained for 15 months. But Milestone after milestone passed.

In February 2010, it was discovered that Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is the cause of Christopher's cardiomyopathy. Barth syndrome is a rare, sex-linked genetic disorder of lipid metabolism that affects males. Christopher has home-bound speech therapy three times a week and is currently doing very well, all things considering!

With this diagnosis is affirmation to never lose sight of the trust we must have in our Father in Heaven. We still depend on miracles every day. God is in control, and He doesn't do half miracles and our trust in Him has never failed us.

Christopher received his surprise in the mail today. A package went from my home in Washington State to this small boy in Mississippi. I don't know this family. I never met Christopher. But by the pictures his mom tagged me in on Facebook, I know he received the love I sent today.

I feel selfishly blessed.

When you go out of your comfort zone, schedule, or whatever zone and do something kind for another person, you have showed love. Not a card that will be thrown away, a phone call that won't offer a physical hug, a cyberspace message of prayer and thoughts, or even a check that can pay bills, but not fill someone's heart with love can be substituted for real, intentional compassion and caring.

Do an act of kindness a least once a week or whenever you can. A tangible act of kindness can be of little financial value that delivers true love to the recipient. Do this for people you don't know at all or hardly know. Do this for a friend or family member you may not really like.

Just do it.

Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

Jesus Loves Me This I Know

Wednesday
9-12-2012

I know, no one appreciates when a shopper is on their cell phone. In fact, cell phone users, urrr, like all of us, get harassed for using their phone in public. Isn't that what a cell phone is for?

So yesterday when my cell phone rang in the grocery store and I didn't recognize the number, I wasn't going to answer.

Hmmm, looks like it could be a speaking event contact. So I answered the call.

"Hello there, Cindy." The man's voice was older sounding. "This is the man you met in the doc's office last week. You know, the kidney transplant office. I wanted to sing you a song I wrote, but you were in a hurry."

I was mad at myself for answering. Another wanna be was calling me to ask me to help them. No one ever calls just to cheer me up or encourage me. And the day I met this man, I was certainly not in the mood to listen to his song or anything else he wanted to say. I was having one of those very bad days.

"Can I sing you my song now?"

I hesitated. His voice was gentle. That very moment I was distraught over personal problems, health scares, new medical diagnosis, and felt like I was abandoned and alone.

"Okay, sure. I'm walking around the grocery store. Go ahead and sing." I figured I'd be listening, not talking so it was perfect. Though I hoped he wouldn't go on forever and make me have to be rude. After all, I was in a bad mood.

Jay began to sing. The song was simple--words and verses that reminded me of "Jesus Loves Me This I Know." He sang about how good Jesus was to him and how Jesus saved his life. The whole song took a minute or so.

"Jay, that was so beautiful. I'm shopping and in a terrible way emotionally and spiritually, and you called me at the perfect time. You know, God used your song to remind me of his care and love for me."

"I'm glad," he said. "I've lived a rough life and did drugs and drank. I lost my kidney and had to clean up or I'd die. So I did. But more than that, I met Jesus and now I'm a new man with a new kidney. And I got married four years ago to a great woman. Do you wanna hear another song?"

"Yes," I answered. I really did.

Jay sang me another song just as sweet and simple as the other. But the words were all testimonies to the love of Jesus.

God sent me a phone call from Jay to speak directly to me. To me.

Jay and God weren't asking for anything.

Call someone today simply to ask them how they are. Talk to them. Bring them coffee. Sing them a song from your heart.

Even if your in the grocery store.


Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

Okay, Here We Come 2012

I'm hanging low today. Still recovering from 20+ stitches after a cancer surgery. Thinking of the events of 2011 and being melancholy. I'm only here to write this because of a 13 year old girl who died trying to save her 4 year old cousin from a drunk driver. On May 12, 2011, I received her pancreas. I wouldn't have lived much longer without the transplant. I also received a heart in 2005. Her family is grieving as they move into 2012. I'm going to ignore the passage of a numeric date and instead wake up to a new day and a new opportunity to be filled with life and joy.


Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

Mary, Do You Know?

Sunday
8-28-2011

"Terry, do you know that lady who just walked by?" I asked as I stared at the petite figure of an Asian woman as she walked to the back row of the sanctuary. Her delicate features were diminished by her pale complexion.

"No, I've never seen her." Terry returned to her conversation.

I sat in my regular spot against the back wall of the church with the ushers. It was necessary for me to stay far away from contact with germs, being a transplant patient, and that meant far away from the congregation.

"Terry, I'm going to sit with her. She looks new and she looks lonely. I'm going to take a chance today." I continued to stare at the woman now seated in a row by herself.

"Don't do it," Terry chided. "It's too soon after your pancreas transplant."

I grabbed my purse and Bible and mumbled how the Lord would protect me as I made my way to her row. I never do this—act foolishly about my immune compromised state and say the Lord told me to. But I knew he wanted me to.

Already into the worship service, I placed my stuff on the chair next to the woman and began to sing. It was hard to participate with my usual gusto. I could sing and sing loud and well, but the prior week had blown the wind from my joy. After worship, there were a few minutes for meet and greet.

I turned to the woman next to me. "Hi, I'm Cindy. Are you new here?" Most of the time people thought I was new from all the Sunday's I lost to hospitals and travel.

"I'm Mary. This is my third time here." She smiled at me and her pallid tone brightened. "Do you come here often?"

"Actually I've been at this church for years, but lately I've been gone a lot because of health problems. I had a pancreas transplant three months ago in Chicago." Mary perked up.

"Oh, I have pancreatitis and if I eat fatty foods I get real sick. I'm an alcoholic you know. Tried all the programs but keep falling back into temptation." She continued to tell me how she had a fiance who was a diabetic and also an alcoholic and they both were Christians but hadn't been in church for years. I could see their failing health had her concerned and she indicated she needed to find God's will for her life and to seek his help with drinking.

Pastor came up and the teaching began. The scripture was based out of James chapter 1, the entire chapter, and was centered around temptation—so relevant for Mary and me. She was seeking help with her addiction and I with a recent conflict. During the final comments, Pastor Steve shared about resisting temptation by weighing everything; is it Jesus or Satan offering the desire placed before us? He admonished us to "assign a name and a face to our choices."

The Lord spoke to me and I looked down at my hand. "Write the name Satan on your pointer finger so when you go to pick up the temptation you will be forced to examine whether it is I, or the enemy offering it to you." His example was clear in my thoughts. I showed my finger, after I wrote Satan on it, to Mary and told her what I heard from the Lord.

I also shared what he wanted me to tell her. I took her by her shoulders, her small frame trembling. "Mary, this is for you too today. Please don't get angry, and I know you don't even know me, but I have to share what Jesus wants to convey to you. You must forgive yourself now, today. I'm not saying to stop attending the programs you have tried, but today, realize he loves you and forgave you a long time ago. Now go from here and simply stop drinking. I mean it, just stop." Oh, how I had that what-did-I-just-do feeling in my gut. But I also had the peace of being obedient when the Lord has me share something personal and impacting—something I would never do on my own.

Mary grabbed her pen. She took my hand and fixed it by adding "NO Satan. YES Jesus." Then she looked deeply into my teary eyes and said, "You are right. And I needed to hear that today." I gave her my phone number to call me if she needed someone to talk to.

http://backtochurch.com

You never know. You never know what a conversation with a stranger will bring. Talk to people. That's what National Back to Church Sunday is all about. I can certainly talk and I'm not shy—but I'm also a good listener. And Mary knew I was interested in her. Reveal your heart to someone new in your church. Invite a neighbor or someone you don't think will respond. You never know.

And if you live in the greater Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area, check out New Life Church's Back to Church Sunday concert on Saturday, September 17th:

http://www.nlaspokane.org/small-group-kick-off

Beatles Tribute Band Coming to Spokane - The Beatles’ music, reinvigorated by the Kirkland-based tribute band Creme Tangerine, will be presented in a free concert at New Life Church in the Spokane Valley.

Creme Tangerine doesn't try to dress or do their hair like the Beatles. Instead, the group seeks to be “a really good rock band with Beatles material”. The point here is to deliver nonstop favorite songs so the people can forget their worries for a night.

The Concert is Free!
Bring a Lawn Chair, kick off your shoes, and have a great time!

With a special Back to Church Sunday service on Sunday, September 18th at 10:00 AM and another Creme Tangerine concert at 1:00 PM. Click HERE for directions to New Life Church.

You Never Know.

Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

A Heart Like Mine - Six Year Anniversary Today

July 13, 2005 - Dr. Icenogle: "You need a heart today but it will be 9 months to a year before we get you one. And you don't have that long."

July 14, 2005 - Dr. Icenogle: "Sign on the dotted line." Me: "For what?" Dr. Icenogle: "You want a heart don't you?"

Six years ago today, I received a life saving--major life saving heart transplant from my angelic donor, Danielle. The story is so amazing and unbelievable. All transplants are miracles, but this on was so beyond medical standards that anyone looking from the outside can tell something very special happened.

Excerpt about Danielle from book one, A Heart Like Mine:

When Danielle was five years old, her dad was killed in a motorcycle accident, leaving Charlotte to raise three children on her own. They often had to visit the local food bank to get help with the family’s needs. Danielle was so touched by the acts of kindness, she insisted to her mom that when she grew up she would “help others like they were helping them.” As she grew, she did just that—gave whatever she had if someone she saw needed it. She gave away her coat to a friend and came home in the cold rain without it, her shoes were donated to a friend in need as she walked home barefoot, her lunch was often offered to another classmate who had nothing, and she always asked for extra snacks to hand out to those less fortunate.

As she got older, Danielle explained to her mom that she felt like she was put on the earth to give to those who were in need of help. When she got her driver’s license, she decided to become an organ donor. “Mom, if something were to happen to me,” she said, “why would I want my organs to be buried when someone’s life could be saved or helped by me being a donor?”

No one likes to talk about a subject as sensitive as dying, but it was important to Danielle that her family knew her wishes. Then the tragic day came when, as Charlotte put it, “I lost something very dear to me—my little princess.”

Danielle was an epileptic and had a seizure one day that caused her to slip and fall in the shower. She suffered a concussion and also hit her neck, cutting off blood flow to her brain from her carotid arteries in her neck. After three days in the hospital, all hope was lost that she ever would come back. When Charlotte was notified that the hospital called a code blue on Danielle, the code for eminent death, she was distraught. “Why God?” she asked. “Why are You doing this? Take me instead of her.”

Danielle’s brothers and the rest of her family all struggled with their loss. But Charlotte knew God had a purpose on earth for her daughter—her “princess.” She also knew that if Danielle’s organs had not been donated, there would have been no purpose to her death.

The holidays were always difficult for Charlotte, but after we talked for a few months, she agreed to meet my family and me on Easter weekend—almost three years after losing Danielle. It was an emotional and powerful meeting for both of us, Charlotte finding closure and me getting to know about the person whose heart was keeping me alive.

Charlotte said something only someone so close to the Lord could comprehend: “After getting to know you,” she explained through tears of relief, “I now know that my daughter’s purpose on earth was to be here so when you needed a new heart, she could give you hers.”

How could a mom say something like that after losing her daughter? Danielle was a Christian, and she demonstrated it by her giving and loving lifestyle. And Danielle is still who she is, and I am who I am, but part of me has a piece of Danielle that God holds in high esteem—her heart. I cannot be who I am without Danielle’s heart keeping me alive. “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). This verse is clipped onto the bulletin board in my kitchen, reminding me quite often of who I am in God’s eyes. No matter what I do wrong, whatever pain I suffer, whatever failures I despair over, I am exactly who God made me to be. And it was His plan that Danielle’s life would become part of mine.

I now have an extended family to which I am very connected. Besides the physical connection, there is an emotional connection and a spiritual connection.

This blog isn't a sales pitch. I know the story is about me--but not really just me. So many people and lives have been changed. I was at the doctor today and every time someone new hears my story, they are amazed and blown away at what has happened. Yet I sit here typing, feeling great, and living life!

The story is BIG. If you haven't purchased my first book in the Heart Like Mine Trilogy, you can purchase it from my website, online retailers, or my publisher. The E-book is on sale for $5.99 in preparation for book two being published soon.

My site: http://www.cindyscinto.com/A_Heart_Like_Mine_Order_info.html
Publisher: https://www.winepressbooks.com/product.asp?pid=2751
E-book: On Sale: $5.99: https://www.winepressbooks.com/product.asp?pid=3062&search=&select=&ss=1&pi=1

Pre-Order book two: https://www.winepressbooks.com/heart

Danielle, my angel on earth.

Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

Love Knows No Color

When Obama got elected to be our next president, I had a cousin in Italy write me to congratulate my country on such a bold and updated result. Mixed feelings came with the realization that our new president had many controversial ideas and beliefs. I will not get into a political match here. But I will make an observation many must talk about but is never heard about in the media. Obama is black.

Call his ethnicity what you want--his skin is darker than all the other presidents. Why does that matter?

It makes a difference for me. I am so worn out from discrimination due to ethnic background and color of one's skin. What a moronic race we are from the beginning of time to assume that appearance is an indicator of a person's worth or abilities.

In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, chapter 16, Samuel makes a judgment on appearances:

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Matthew Henry's Consise Commentary on the Bible says this:

"It was strange that Samuel, who had been so disappointed in Saul, whose countenance and stature recommended him, should judge of another man by that rule. We can tell how men look, but God can tell what they are. He judges of men by the heart. We often form a mistaken judgment of characters; but the Lord values only the faith, fear, and love, which are planted in the heart, beyond human discernment. And God does not favour our children according to our fond partiality, but often most honours and blesses those who have been least regarded."

I live in a city where African-American residents are scarce. It bothers me. I don't want to be a partaker in any kind of discrimination. I hate that my area is deemed "white." I have written several commentaries in our local newspaper regarding the presence of Aryan Nation groups and praised the runners in our popular race, Bloomsday--winners always being from Africa. They cross the finish lines, sleek, dark, tall bodies with arms raised high.

When Obama got elected, I proclaimed that television and media would take on a more balanced appearance--more black people appearing in commercials and TV shows. It is happening. I am so glad to see the ratio of peoples in the spotlight coming to a more even keeled percentage.

Modern America? How modern can we be and intelligent when discrimination still permeates every city.

Argue what you want about our president. Takes sides. Hate his policy. Fight to have him rid of. But I am glad to see his color skin reflecting out to the world. America the beautiful...

Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

Beauty from Tragedy

Late one recent summer night, the news came abruptly:

“A 19 year old woman was killed after her car hit a moose. The driver got out to look at the damage after hitting a moose that was crossing the highway. An oncoming truck hit and killed her.”

Tragedy took away a young life. My thoughts wandered. How instantly she was taken away from her family and friends.

Who would be affected? Parents getting the news will collapse with shock. Siblings will experience a new level of loss. A fiancé maybe? He will never forget this night.

The driver of the truck? His life is now changed in a permanent painful way. Images flash over and over in his mind. The memories are indelible now that they have been burned in his psyche. Guilt will plague his nights and no one can console him. Only a Divine Creator will ever be able to bring a complete healing from the pieces of turmoil.

All these thoughts ravaged my mind as I heard the news.

But then, I thought of the possibility of beauty from tragedy. Was she an organ donor?

For a moment, the thought sent pangs of selfishness through my body. I remembered back when I was sitting and waiting—waiting for someone to die so I could live through a heart donor. My own heart was failing me and at 44 years old, I wanted to live. Guilt nagged at my despairing soul each day that passed. My thoughts were often tortured with blank images of my potential heart donor and their devastated family.

How mixed the emotions become when you want so badly to have one more chance to remain here on earth with family and friends knowing someone else will be taken from their own circle of relationships. Oh God, what a price to be paid for life.

Jesus paid an immeasurable price for our lives. He selflessly gave His life so we could live. John 3:16

The words of a liver transplant recipient came to mind: “Why should two lives be lost when that person’s organs can save someone’s life?” 50 people can be saved or have their lives enhanced by one organ donor.

My heart donor—Danielle—she is my angel on earth as her mom reminds me. Her mom and brothers are my family now. I love them dearly as if they have always been part of my life. And Danielle knew the Lord Jesus. I will see her in heaven.

Tragedy can spur on beauty from the ashes of loss and suffering.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

http://www.donatelifenw.org/

Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

A Heart by Any Other Name

What a week I had! After years of saving and scrimping, we are finally getting our rugs replaced with beautiful tile and laminate flooring. The house is torn up, workers are moving about from one area to another, barricades block “no step zones,” our van broke down, our son’s car blew its engine, the front door lock broke, and last night, my husband fell from the roof when the ladder gave way from under him. Oh, thank God he was not hurt—but the legs of the ladder came crashing through the kitchen window as I stood helplessly watching. The position of the ladder was such that each leg took out one side of the double-pane window. The new decking, composite, was slippery, and John was not aware how slippery it was.

I watched the glass shatter into millions of pieces, covering most of the kitchen counters and floor. Then I saw John dangling from the gutter with one hand and as he dropped to the deck below, my first thought was has he been hurt? Thankfully, he was unscathed. I was only a few feet from the window and at that proximity, anyone would have been scared enough to put their heart into a panic; racing hormones and nerves causing the blood to rush to their head.

But my heart went on its merry way, beating as if it was walking a familiar path through the neighborhood park. I did not have that “fight or flight” reaction people experience when faced with a startling and scary event. My heart—transplanted to me three and a half years ago—does not have the connection to my brain and nervous system that my “original” heart did. The heart beating in my chest was born to a young woman named Danielle, who passed away tragically at the age of 28. It is her heart that keeps me alive. It is her heart that now governs the esoterical position of the center of my being.

Many studies are investigating the role our heart plays in other areas besides its symbolically designated place as the “pump” that keeps us alive. And the research is opening many doors to understanding its expanded role and why the heart can break down so easily.

In fact, doctors are now reporting that unexpected, tragic news can cause an actual broken heart. The condition “broken heart syndrome” is being officially recognized by doctors the world over as reported by cardiologist Dr. Ilan Wittstein, M.D of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine:

Shocking news, such as learning of the unexpected death of a loved one, has been known to cause catastrophic events, such as a heart attack.

Now, researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered that sudden emotional stress can also result in severe but reversible heart muscle weakness that mimics a classic heart attack. Patients with this condition, called stress cardiomyopathy but known colloquially as “broken heart” syndrome, are often misdiagnosed with a massive heart attack when, indeed, they have suffered from a days-long surge in adrenalin (epinephrine) and other stress hormones that temporarily “stun” the heart.

After observing several cases of “broken heart” syndrome at Hopkins hospitals - most of them in middle-aged or elderly women—we realized that these patients had clinical features quite different from typical cases of heart attack, and that something very different was happening,” says Wittstein.
“These cases were, initially, difficult to explain because most of the patients were previously healthy and had few risk factors for heart disease.

While the folklore of “broken heart” syndrome has been around for decades, the prevalence of the condition remains unknown. According to Wittstein, some reports exist, mainly from Japan, and describe similar syndromes, but no biochemical analyses have previously been performed that link
the condition to elevated catecholamine levels. The researchers contend that while stress cardiomyopathy is not as common as a typical heart attack, it likely occurs more frequently than doctors realize. They expect its numbers to increase as more physicians learn to recognize the syndrome’s unique clinical features. [Ilan Wittstein, M.D. Hopkins cardiologist. Johns Hopkins Medicine, February 9, 2005 April 2008 http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2005/02_10_05.html]

Understanding the heart physically, emotionally, and spiritually is the beginning of understanding what makes each one of us who we are. “Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?” (Job 38:36, nkjv) If we can identify the origin of our own heartaches, we can begin to grasp what we need to overcome the individual trials breaking our own hearts.

The Lord already knows how infinitely important the heart’s place is in our lives. Its status and emotional state are mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible and is referred to as possessing many characteristics:

• The heart can be evil: “The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5 NIV)
• The heart can guide you to give: “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.” (Exodus 25:2 NIV)
• The heart can be hateful: “Do not hate your brother in your heart.” (Leviticus 19:17 NIV)
• The heart can be proud: “Then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:14 NIV)
• The heart can fear: “When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed.” (Joshua 2:11 NIV) “At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water.” (Joshua 7:5 NIV)
• The heart rejoices: “My heart rejoices in the LORD;” (1 Samuel 2:1 NIV)
• The heart can be faithful: “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart.” (1 Kings 3:6 NIV)
• The heart can have integrity: “As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did.” (1 Kings 9:4 NIV)
• The heart can be humbled: “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD.” (2 Kings 22:19 NIV)
• The heart can be sorrowful: “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?” (Psalm 13:2 NIV)
• The heart can be broken: “Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless;” (Psalm 69:20 NIV)
• The heart is a wellspring of life: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)
• The heart can sing: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19 NIV)
• The heart can be at rest: “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.” (1 John 3:19 NIV)

Two years after receiving life from Danielle, I was able to meet her mom, Charlotte, and give her back a piece of the “princess” she lost. Charlotte talks of her daughter with a gleam in her eyes. As she put it, “I lost something very dear to me—my little princess.”

Although my “new heart” may not be attached as my previous heart was, I know it is operating as more than merely a pump. I even feel a connection to my heart donor no one can explain. Danielle was a Christian; I will meet her in heaven one day.

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet tells Romeo that a name is artificial and meaningless, and that she loves the person who is called “Montague,” not the Montague name and not the Montague family. Our hearts are similar—it’s not just the conventional meaning of a pump keeping us alive, it is the life it gives physically and spiritually when you trust Jesus to be its center.

“What's in a name? [in a heart?] That which we call a rose [heart] by any other name would smell as sweet [still beat with the love of Christ].”

Now, we are connected. Charlotte can listen to Danielle’s heart beating in my chest and I can embrace Danielle’s gift of life with every beat of her heart. A heart by any other name is always a heart of many characteristics. The one we value the most?—the heart of faith.

“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:8-10 NIV)

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