a beautiful heart

Years ago, I read a little tidbit of wisdom that I have tucked away, and strive to live by. It was a little proverb written on a Hallmark card...the most important thing you can teach a child is to have a beautiful heart. It was one of those sentiments that felt so full of truth and life... and it became my mission- for what could be more important than a beautiful heart? The question was though, can you teach that? Or does it just have to be? I don't really know the answer to that... Every day, we must make a choice...to live each day with a smile, or not... with graciousness, or with craving... with joy or with complacency. It is our choice, no matter what we are taught. But these children of mine... they amaze me. They choose to live with beauty. A young lady who would love to take horseback riding lessons is content with volunteering her Saturdays with a horse therapy program... helping children who really need that connection with the horses. A sweet boy who at eleven, is not embarrassed to be hugged by Ms Illa at church every Sunday, and will make sure she is hugged twice if we happen to miss a Sunday. A teenage girl who sings in the choir... raises up her voice for worship. And young man taking the oath of a scout, promising to live with truth, honesty, loyalty, helpfulness, courtesy, kindness, obedience, thriftiness, courage, cleanliness and reverence. Their hearts are beautiful... their lives important... and I am so thankful.