Lifted Up

Let us lift up our hearts, as well as our hands, to God in heaven.
Lamentations 3:41

Even as a little girl, I remember loving the “lift up your hearts” part of the service. The mere act of responding to the call to “lift up your hearts” with the simple, “we lift them up to you, O Lord,” is enough to renew my strength and inspire my spirit. My heart is literally lifted up and restored to a right relationship with God and others in this small - yet profound - act of worship and faith.

The other day I was at my desk, trying to catch up on some church business. I had been busy all morning playing dress up, making snacks, changing diapers. One of my daughters wanted me to watch her do handstands. (I should mention I had already watched many handstands quite enthusiastically that day).

I told her I couldn’t watch right now, that I had to get something done, and that it would only take a few minutes. But I said it more curtly than necessary, and added a frustrated sigh for emphasis.

She proceeded with her handstands. Her big sister, being in the room for this whole exchange, sat down on the couch. “Want to watch my handstands?” asked the little one, plaintively. Ordinarily, my oldest is willing to oblige all the younger ones and will offer rapt attention and some applause to boot. But this time was different. I was horrified to hear my very tone and words come right out of the older girl’s mouth. There is nothing more humbling than seeing your children bear your image when you want them to bear God’s. I immediately sought their forgiveness and we had quite a discussion about how our actions and attitudes affect those around us.

When my heart is not lifted up to the Lord, everyone around me can tell. It is quite easy to keep my hands lifted up, going about my daily routine, while allowing my heart to be somewhere else entirely. My prayer today is that God would help me lift up hands and heart as I seek to serve him.