Hard Heart.  Two words I never want to read or hear as next door neighbors in the description of my life.  It’s not that Hard or Heart are bad words, it’s just that when they sit next to each other, they’re a sorry pair.  They poke at each other, antagonize, stir-up, rile; they become something together that individually would never be.

Any wise person knows the damage those two can cause when they’re palling around.  They steal your silence, your sleep and your sanity.  And, rarely do they just affect one person. Their effects show up in texts, emails, and conversations.  Their collective influence is seen in grocery stores, malls and road ways.  They keep doctors and nurses busy all night and hospitals filled to capacity; lawyers and judges occupied.  I’m tellin’ you, they’re a sorry pair.

Hard and Heart have friends too.  They just start showing up - unannounced, camping out and leaving a mess.  They move in and take over your house.  Before you know it you’re bringing their mail in from the curb; letters, magazines and credit card applications all addressed to Blatant Disobedience, Misery, Pain, Divorce, Slammed Doors and Stench.  These are the best friends of Hard and Heart.  They’re under your roof because you can’t keep Hard and Heart separated.  In some twisted way, you like seeing them, Hard and Heart, together.

For you and me, there’s help and hope.  We have friends willing to jump in and drive a wedge between Hard and Heart.  These guys are our real friends:  Obedience, Forgiveness, Trust, Understanding, Patience, Surrender, Humility and Joy.  Any one of them can do the job.  They’re standing by and willing to help keep Hard and Heart separated.