A Big Heart

A few days ago we became aware that our little "fur person" had some serious health issues.  Our precious little dachsund, who looks and acts like she has not a problem in the world, had some blood work done prior to a scheduled teeth-cleaning procedure, and her blood counts were off the charts.  So, more tests were done, and yesterday we got the results from the vet.  When he called yesterday morning, he said Molly has a "big heart".  At first I thought that he was just talking about what we all think about her personality.  She is one of the most loving, lovable, friendly, cuddly dogs (I could go on and on here!!) I have ever known.  To say she has a big heart perfectly describes her temperament.  But that isn't what he meant.  When he said she has a big heart, he meant it literally.  She has a big heart.  A heart that is much larger than normal.  A heart that is too big for her chest.  That is crowding out her lungs so that oxygen is not flowing through her blood stream as it should.  So her blood is too thick.  And her heart is overcompensating by producing excess red blood cells.  Which makes her blood thicker.  Which makes her heart overcompensate some more.  And the cycle continues.  She is not yet in congestive heart failure, which is a good thing.  The vet doesn't really know why this has happened.  He has some theories, but we don't know the "why", and in fact we may never know.  Molly will be having a cardiac ultrasound next week, and then we'll be able to make decisions about the best medications and best course of treatment.  In the meantime, she has a big heart, in more ways than one!

As I thought about that yesterday, once I got over the initial shock, I realized what a beautiful descriptor that is.  Not in the physical sense.  Having an enlarged heart muscle, whether you are human or canine, is not a good thing.  But in terms of personality, to be described as a person with a big heart is a wonderful thing!  And in spiritual terms as well, how wonderful to be considered big-hearted! 

When we describe a person has having a big heart, what do we mean?  I think of kindness.  Of generosity.  Of love and compassion.  Of gentleness.  Of joy.  And peace.  And patience.  And goodness. 

Does that list seem familiar?  If you look into Galatians chapter 5, you'll see these qualities in the list of the fruit of the Spirit.  Those qualities of God's Spirit produced in our own lives could well lead others to describe us has having a big heart.

Ultimately, when I think of a big heart, I think of a heart overflowing with love.  A heart that loves so much that it gives.  When I think of a big heart, I think of God, who loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us......not because we deserved it, but in spite of the fact that we didn't.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8  NASB)