So, Sarah, what will you do with your heart? I ask this as a friend, of course. Sallyhanan is right.
To God, your heart is a precious gem, as you are a precious gem to Him. Find a quiet place to melt down- release all your cares on Him.

OH YEAH?!

WELL…WHAT’S IT TO YOU, HUH?

[/pretend rant]

Okay, seriously, though, Sally…I just understood this part of your bio:

“I serve as a volunteer inner-healing counselor…in my home church.”

Thank you, Sally. I am still perplexed about the fact that I ripped my heart out of my chest in the dream. As I read your words, it occurred to me that it was a deliberate act, not a symbolic gesture. I didn’t say, “Here is my heart.” I literally ripped open my chest and pulled it out. I have had such a hard time trusting God with the deepest parts of my life–my desires, my passions, my fears, the things that make me “me.” I know, intellectually, that I can trust Him with those things, but learning to allow Him deeper into my heart is going to take a deliberate action on my part.

I think.

You are the garden island, and you have the river of life flowing through you, pooling in the middle before the water continues on.

The pool of his presenc appears shallow and not dangerous, controllable, smooth and safe, but you know that if you fall completely into his presence you might never come back to the life you now know.

I think the woman represents the Holy Spirit–a nurturing mother and teacher who is so much taller in the things of God than you or I. Just like Jesus, she asks you what you want, because it is the hungry who are satisfied.

Your answer is astounding. Deep inside your soul you know there is so much more to your heart than just having it beat. You want it to come alive in him, to have the John 17 promise fulfilled of him in you and you in him.

God sees your heart as a ruby, precious and washed by him, but you know that’s not enough, You know you have to steep your heart in his presence, in his living water to see it come alive.

His presence will make your melodies, your scents, your words, creation’s beauty, your love of teaching, your lvoe of learning, your love of family, your writing gift, and your passion come alive to never slumber again.

I believe you know the answer to what the Holy Spirit asked you–Will you surrender everything, including your fear and self-preservation–in order to have him cause you to really live? Will you let yourself fall into his living water, his terrifying and furious love, and then take your new heart and live from it?