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Lighten my Heart, Lord – Light as a Feather

July 15, 2010 By Jean Wise

    Ma’at, the Egyptian goddess of justice, truth and order, was always depicted wearing a white ostrich feather in her hair. The Egyptians believed that when they died they would enter the underworld or the Hall of the Dead where Ma’at would weigh their hearts against the weight of a feather to determine the worthiness of his or her soul.
     If the heart was free from the impurities of sin, and therefore lighter than the feather, then the dead person could enter the eternal afterlife. A heart could be made light as a feather by lifetime of kind deeds, love and care for the needed.
    Makes the expression – “lighten up”- take on new meaning, doesn’t it?

    My heart has been heavy lately – full of hurts, anger, and resentments. Reading this story reminded me it was time to lighten up my heart.  Time to replace my negative emotions for more Christlike characteristics of kindness, gentleness, and love. 

     Being able to find an image to describe a problem or situation I face helps me let go and become more open to where the Spirit is leading me. I think visualizing a concern or even a joy creates a concrete and tangible symbol instead of feeling lost in the foggy aftermath of churning emotions.  Imagery can be a powerful spiritual discipline.
     Hildegard of Bingen wrote, “Thus am I, a feather on the breath of God.”
  May I live each day with a light heart responding only to God’s breath.
  

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Filed Under: Spiritual biographies, spiritual lessons

Comments

  1. blankGraceful says

    July 16, 2010 at 2:34 am

    I like the image of the feather, Jean…and the idea of using an image to inspire prayer and contemplation. You know, I’ve been feeling dark and bitter lately — worried, anxious, resentful. Perhaps I should meditate on the image of a feather, and ask God to lighten my burden.

  2. blankLaura says

    July 16, 2010 at 12:47 am

    Now I’ll always see a feather when someone says, “Lighten up!” But the feathers I see won’t be made of my own kind deeds…they’ll be fashioned of His grace.

    Great image, Jeanie!

  3. blankJean Wise says

    July 15, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    I just think the image of a feather – keeping my heart light and being a feather in God’s hand – is so powerful. had to share it.

  4. blankKaren says

    July 15, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    Aww, Jeanie, you always teach me with the research you do. Now I know the extra meaning of those feathers. Blessings to you dear friend.

  5. blankMichelle says

    July 15, 2010 at 6:35 pm

    Great post, Jesus is willing to lighten our burden if we let him. As Christians we can truly have this lightened heart-

  6. blankRajee says

    July 15, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    Thanks for link up Time and Followed my blog.

    Love your blog

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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