Lessons From My Three Little Heartbeats

    I once heard a friend refer to her fish as her, “Little heartbeat.” Her mom had communicated to her the weight of responsibility that accompanies pet ownership. The main point was that each pet is one little heartbeat the owner is responsible for. I am responsible for three Little Heartbeats at my summer workplace. The shop where I spend my summer days has two cats and a big bird. A smaller bird and a dog also dance around the room during normal business hours, but not when I am the sole worker. I have learned a few valuable lessons from my three Little Heartbeats this summer.
    Toward the end of the day, I found myself hot gluing beads to the front of drawers. I must take a second to tell an unrelated story. As I hot glued the drawers, a customer came up to me and asked if I worked there. The smile would not be forced from my face. The thought of me hot gluing things to drawers if I did not work there was just too humorous for me to stuff the giggle away. Back to the point, toward the end of the day, I was continuing with my hot glue mission. The rain outside drizzled through a cloudy gray sky. The shop seemed cozy and warm with music playing softly in the background. My mind mulled over many topics and I began to get lost in thought. Sometimes this can be dangerous.
    Prolonged pondering and reflection must be kept on the path of truth. It is easy  for Satan to sneak in whispers of half truths that spring into little seedlings of lies and destruction. These half truths can present themselves in the form of discontentment, anger, hurt feelings, jealousy, offense, defensiveness, the forms are endless. The lies can grow sturdy roots quickly if they are not pulled from the soil of the mind. This time of contemplation is a good time to practice speaking truth to the soul.
    So here I found myself, snug in my little store, thinking. My heart was starting to water Satan’s little seeds and they were beginning to grow tender, yet powerful, roots in my heart. I began to ask myself what my Savior’s plans were for a heartache I felt. That is when I noticed one of my Little Heartbeats sitting by the front door. The cat’s eyes were focused on something in the distance. He patiently waited and watched. What he searched for, I do not know. I think perhaps he was waiting for his master, the shop owner, my wonderful boss. Whatever his little heart was searching for, he was willing to wait for it.
    A word pushed through the thoughts in my mind and demanded my attention: anticipation. This word sent conviction and hope flooding through my heart. Do I anticipate the promises my Savior has given me? Do I anticipate the blessing of following His chosen path? Do I anticipate the hand of my Master moving in my life? Just as my Little Heartbeat sat, anticipating some desire within him, I must confidently anticipate the promises my Savior has made me.
    Now focused on the behavior of the shop’s Little Heartbeats, I contemplated more actions they perform. Their favorite place to sprawl out and snooze is on the counter next to the register. Most of the day, one cat can be found napping on a mat next to the register. The other is often curled up in a box of beads located to the right of the register and directly in front of the store entrance. Reflecting on the cats in these locations, a knew word flashed into my mind: position. The cats know exactly where to position themselves to receive the greatest amount of customer love and attention. Every person who walks in the door sees the cat in the bead box. Every customer who aspires to purchase an item must reach over the snoozing cat by the register. All day long the cats are massaged, kissed, adored, and loved on. I can’t help but smile as I realize they are masters of position.
    God wants me to be a master of position. My decisions need to communicate my role as His daughter and servant. They need to position me in His path. I am reminded of His words, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” There are incredible blessings that overwhelm my soul with peace, hope, and joy when I position myself in God’s Word, around His people, and on my knees before His presence.
    As these thoughts floated around in my mind, and I continued gluing little beads, I suddenly heard the bird, “Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello.” A fresh smile overtook my countenance. The bird has frightened a few customers with his speech. The best is when he starts squawking, “Help!” People look at me with huge eyes. I can see their agony as they try to decide what could possibly be going on. Who is desperate for help and what have I done to someone that is causing the person to cry out in such a tone? I quickly explain that it is the bird, and I can see the relief sweep over them. At this specific time, I was the only one in the shop. I heard the bird start reciting every word and sound he knows. A final word surfaced within me: persistence.
    The bird is quite persistent in his speech. Usually, if I want to show him off, he refuses to talk. I will eagerly bring a friend to see the beautiful big bird. Then I will start saying the words I desire for him to repeat. Nothing. He refuses to be pressured into performance! Yet, when he wants attention, he refuses to be silent. He will say, “Hello. Cracker. Ribbet. Help.” and many more words, over and over again. He does not tire of demanding attention through his speech. He is persistent.
    Then my mind recalled an event from earlier in the day. The cats know the right position, but they also know persistence. When they want attention and the customers are not coming to them, they will simply adjust and go to the customers. I watched one cat follow a man up the stairs, around the balcony, back down the stairs, around the aisles, and to the register. The man loved the Little Heartbeat and spoiled him during the whole journey. The Little Heartbeats know persistence.
    I am convinced that God desires for me to be persistent in my requests. He wants me to ask for His presence to meet every need of my soul. He doesn’t want me to stop there, but He wants me to then persist in asking. He says to ask as a child asks his father for food, as a friend begs a companion for help, with unrelenting persistence. Sometimes I believe He desires to strengthen my faith and reliance upon Him, to sweeten our relationship, by demanding my persistence. His provisions are promised, and His powerful joy is sure to saturate and strengthen my soul. Yet, I often forfeit for lack of persistence.
    Today, while working some hot glue magic, I learned three important lessons from my three Little Heartbeats. 1. God desires for me to anticipate, to fully believe, and act upon my faith in His hand of provision. He will provide for my every need. 2. God desires for me to position myself to receive His blessings. He is ready to open the heavens and pour His blessings upon His children. Sometimes they come in forms I am not expecting. Other times, I am not patient enough to wait in His position. I wander off His path and do not position myself for the powerful impact of His presence. I need to position myself where my Savior has called me. 3. God desires for me to be persistent in my supplications and pursuit of Him. Through the long hours of the night, He strengthens and grows me, until morning comes and His glory shines brighter than I can imagine. I must be persistent. Like my three little heartbeats, I must cling to anticipation, position, and persistence; then I will bask in the presence and glory of my Almighty King.