The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart. (Luke 6:45)
Aunt Mildred’s Alzheimer’s disease progressed to the point where she chattered one disjointed sentence after another. They were random clippings from a scrapbook of sunny thoughts.
“Oh look, Dear, isn’t that a lovely flower? I just love this teacup. Goodness me, I have failed to introduce you to my dolly, Roxanne.”
While her conversation had no connection with present reality, it was enchanting nevertheless. She spoke from a lifetime of disciplined cheerfulness.
The mind is a camera and the heart a scrapbook. In my thoughts I process a great many photos, most of which are tossed into the bin of forgetfulness. First, the mind looks at each photo and pastes the eventful ones into its scrapbook. I become what my heart has saved. But the heart can only work with what the mind photographs.
I could let my mind dwell on past offenses against me, but if I do, my heart will scrapbook bitterness into my soul. Do I want the core of my being to be anger, or lust, or greed, or any other poison? Is that what I want to spill out when I’m old and, like Aunt Mildred, my mind is no longer there to censor my words?
The only way to obtain the innocent heart of a child is to keep the lens of my mind focused on the character of Jesus. As I do that year after year, eventually, “whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy,” (Philippians 4:8) is what will fill my heart, and spill from my mouth.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me replace every dark idea with thoughts of you.