St. Valentine was a real person. A Roman priest from the third century, he was beheaded for assisting Christian couples to marry. He was not a cherub who shot arrows at lovers. None the less, that image remains firmly in our culture. Perhaps we are incurably romantic. There’s just something about the hope that takes root in a brand new love affair. It is no surprise that in the middle of the darkest time of the year we eagerly celebrate a holiday of the heart.
We tend to think that if we watch our diet and go for a daily run we have done everything necessary to care for our heart. The heart, though, is more than that. The spiritual heart and the physical heart are linked in ways that we sometimes ignore. People actually do die of a broken emotional heart!
Christian writers have a unique position when it comes to the heart. Every time we put our thoughts “out there” we expose our heart. When you write, what impressions do you reveal about the state of your heart? Jesus teaches: “A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.” (Lk.6:45)
Your writing has the power to touch, heal or discourage someone else’s heart. Are you mindful that any bitterness or resentment in your own heart will be translated to what you write? This awesome power is part of your gift. In this month of the heart do a “cardiac check”. Sharpen your awareness about your ability to touch hearts. Do whatever you need to do that will help edify your writing so that it lifts hearts and gives your readers a chance at new life!
Copyright© 2012, Kathryn M. Cunningham, all rights reserved.
Check out more of Kathryh: @ wwwatravelersview.org
KathrynCunningham
Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org