Heartprints

While clearing off a bookshelf, I ran across a book, Heartprints by Aldrich & Valentine.  I remember picking this up on a fall women's retreat to Tennessee a couple of years ago.  I enjoyed it as a morning devotional then filed it away.  As I thumbed through it this morning, I realized I need to revisit this one...

Heartprints shares amazing stories of how average, ordinary women  have inspired and encouraged others simply by loving, caring, praying and serving.  Its short chapters are uplifting and wonderful reminders of how we don't need to think of ourselves and unimportant and boring - but to celebrate how a smile, kind word or other simple gestures can leave "heartprints" on lives.

Heartprints

Heartprints 

Whatever our hands touch--

We leave fingerprints!

On the walls, on the furniture,

On doorknobs, dishes, books,

As we touch we leave our identity.

O God, wherever I go today,

Help me to leave heartprints!

Heartprints of compassion,

Of understanding and love.

Heartprints of kindness

and genuine concern.

May my heart touch

a lonely neighbor,

Or a runaway daughter,

Or an anxious mother,

Or, perhaps, a dear friend!

Lord, send me out today

To leave heartprints.

And if someone should say,

"I felt your touch,"

May that one sense your love

Touching through me.

—Ruth Harms Calkin 

© 1983