Stories - Page 28 of 82 - The Christian Heart

How Everyday People Live Out Their Christian Faith

Illustrating how men and women display their love for Jesus in their day-to-day lives.
Little things that may have an eternal impact. Might these stories motivate you to use your talents?

Loving Your Neighbor
REALLY SEEING AND HEARING PEOPLE

Recently, someone asked me, “How do you show the love of Jesus on a daily basis?” I said I take the time to really see and hear people. They are not obstacles to overcome or items to check off. I stop to really see people. Like last night, at my place of employment, a woman came to me angry and frustrated. I stopped and heard her. I couldn't change the outcome of the situation, but I could hear and validate her frustration. It ended in me hugging and holding her. Nothing changed in her circumstance, but everything changed in her because she was seen and experienced someone truly paying attention to her. At the end of that shift, one of my coworkers belittled me for how I handled the situation. I explained that seeing and hearing the person was my gift. I have a softer, mild, compassionate approach. But my coworkers’ gift may be different because God purposefully made them different. They may be very straightforward, their words hitting you between the eyes. Both tactics have their place, but we must each flow within our own gift. She agreed and, thankfully, my managers also backed me up. I have learned one of the challenges of truly loving others is staying filled up. Galatians 6:9 tells us “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good…”. This can be hard because people are like emotional rollercoasters. They move from harsh, struggling and in pain; to gentle, vulnerable and open for healing. Thankfully, my degree in Occupational Therapy and my experience working for several organizations which help… Read More

January 5, 2022
Hospital Overcoming Obstacles Unique Ministries
SAY I WON’T

Life is not easy as a quadruple amputee. But I have never doubted God and if I can be an inspiration to just one person and lead them to a relationship with Jesus, then this has all been worth it. On New Year’s Eve of 2019, I came down with the flu. Over the next few days, my health worsened and I was rushed to the hospital. I developed a blood infection; then went into cardiac arrest and septic shock which started to cause organ failure. I actually flatlined for over seven minutes. By the grace of God, a cardiac surgeon was nearby and began working to save me. Doctors performed a five-hour surgery to get my lungs and heart working again. I went into a coma for 10 days and the surgeon said it was a longshot that I’d survive. But I did. I left the hospital after 107 days, but I did so without my limbs. The blood infection caused them to start deteriorating when I was in the coma. Doctors had to amputate my arms just below the elbows and my legs just under the knee joints. When I was fighting for my life in the hospital, I clung to two verses, both from the Book of Job. The first was Job 1:21. “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” I reflected on how much God had given me throughout my life. Now He was taking away. So I felt led to praise Him even in this difficult time. As a result,… Read More

December 28, 2021
Children Mentoring Overcoming Obstacles
ON RIVER TIME

I was sexually abused multiple times as a six-year-old child. As a young boy, I was confused, shameful and guilt ridden. I didn't say anything to anyone. Even as an 11 year old kid, I recalled standing at the doorway of my mom and dad's room, determined to say something, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I was overcome by shame, guilt, and a fear that often comes with abuse. I bottled it up. For decades. But as an adult, I kept having the same recurring nightmare and finally got myself into counseling. For the first time, I broke down and those painful memories were finally verbalized. What people might not understand about abuse victims is that believing it wasn't your fault does not come easily or quickly; it's a process of forgiveness and self-reflection that usually happens in silence. For me, that happened on a river as I was fly fishing at age 38. I loved the serenity of fly fishing and found it to be the perfect place to talk to God. And it was on that river where He and I finally worked out all my demons. So many people go through painful experiences and don't do anything with those experiences. But God showed me that He wanted me to do something impactful with this pain. I didn’t know what that might be, so I prayed and gave it all to God. He led me to do two things. The first was to write a book about my experience called Picking Butter Beans. It allowed me to… Read More

December 21, 2021
Children Overcoming Obstacles
SPIRITUALLY GUIDING MY FAMILY

I grew up in a household where my father worked hard to provide for our household because he grew up with that value of being financially stable. My father would come home tired from work, so I have just a handful of memories when my father interacted with me. When I was 11, my parents told me and my siblings that they were separating, and my dad wouldn't be around anymore. I remember going up to my room, crying and praying that God would fix this. God never brought my parents back together, but my dad still tried to connect with us the only way he knew how: by providing. My father bounced around jobs in different states, making a six-figure salary per year, but over the years, my father struggled with depression and alcohol. And the financial stability started to crumble. When my father moved back near us, we spent more time together, and I learned the main reason for the divorce was over the thing he had focused so hard on providing: money. Before the divorce, my mother would stay home, while my father worked. This helped me create a strong relationship with my mother, but one where my father wasn't around to be the home's spiritual pillar. My mother tried to fill that void the best she could, but it still lacked my father. Today, the relationship with my father is still one where I don't see much of him, but since I had my own child four months ago, I have begun to see more of the love God… Read More

December 14, 2021
Labor Loving Your Neighbor Special Needs
A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS

I never thought a simple act of kindness would have such an amazing impact. It really showed me how much God can use any situation or anybody for His glory. I’ve been a UPS driver in Vermont for 29 years, and really gotten to know a lot of the people on my route. Especially during the pandemic where we’ve been making so many more deliveries. I love my customers and try to show Jesus’ love to them any chance I get. That's what I did with Max. He’s a 14-year-old boy with autism who rarely speaks or smiles. I try to say hello and take a few minutes to talk to Max whenever I make a delivery to his mom, Wendy. So, Max and I started to develop a real bond. He’d get excited when I’d drop off a package. Max’s room is at the front of their house and so he can hear the truck coming up the road. His mom usually greets me at the door and Max is not too far behind. With Halloween approaching, Wendy shared with me how Max wanted to be a UPS driver. I was so touched when she said she’d try to make him a uniform like mine. For some time, I had been praying that the Lord use me as His loving instrument. And in my mind, that was treating everyone with a smile and compassion since we are all His children. When Wendy told me about Max’s UPS uniform, I could feel the Holy Spirit pushing me to do more for Max. So I thought… Read More

December 7, 2021
Children Loss Of Loved One Unique Ministries
CARRYING A BROKEN HEART

“I’m sorry, there is no heartbeat.” I remember that fateful moment like it was yesterday, but it was Father’s Day of 2018 when the doctor spoke those words. I was pregnant with our son, and it was his due date. Nothing could’ve prepared me for that life-changing moment. Three months before this event, I visualized Jesus was holding one of my hands, with His other hand over my heart. I had no idea the comfort God was preparing for me, until this moment where pain and supernatural peace would collide. The next day, I gave birth to our stillborn baby, Ethan. Back in 2016 and 2017, I had also suffered two miscarriages. At three months during my first pregnancy, they found no baby in the sac and I hemorrhaged. Six months later, I became pregnant again but at 10 weeks the doctors heard no heartbeat and I miscarried shortly after. I wasn’t miscarrying just my baby, I was miscarrying a broken heart. I was searching for support from other women who had gone through the same devastating experiences of baby loss. I heard God calling me to use my gifts, so I founded Spark Joy Ministries, a private, faith-based supportive community for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. I wanted to create a safe place for others to discuss their feelings and begin the healing process. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort… Read More

November 30, 2021

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 38

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 116

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 166

Verbalizing the Gospel 76

Submit a Story

Listen To Our Podcast

Support The Christian Heart

Sign Up For Our Inspiring Newsletter