The Heart is where we feel close to others

In Acts 4:32, the early disciples "were one in heart and mind," a statement of their unity. Jonathan's armor bearer expressed unity with his boss by saying, "Do all that you have in mind... I am with you heart and soal" (1 Sam 14:7)

In the end times, God will restore closeness in family life. Malachi 4:6 says, "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers."

On the other hand, people also can feel distant from others in their hearts. Michael, David's wife, didn't like how he was worshipping the Lord and "despised him in her heart" (2 Sam 6:16)

As parents, we long to connect with our children in meaningful ways. When children are young, those special moments happen regularly, even daily. You read a book to your four year old every night, he leans on your arm, and you cherish those times of closeness. He's ready to believe everything you say. You play a card matching game on the floor with your five year old, and she laughs and says, "you're fun to play with, Mommy." You correct your six year old, and he cries that repentant cry and wants a hug and tears come to your eyes too, because you know you've connected with his heart.

These special moments of heart connection also happen with older children, but, in many families, they come less often. A fourteen year old gets a positive school report, giving her dad an opportunity to affirm her hard work. Her smile confirms he made the heart connection he'd hoped for. A seventeen year old gets fired from his job and wants to talk about it. His mom listens for a while and can tell her son appreciates her acceptance. You take your teenage son and his friends to the beach and try extra hard to relate in ways that don't embarrass your son. At the end of the day, one of the kids says, "your mom is cool," and your son gives you that look of approval. You know you connected at heart level. The closeness you and your children feel (or don't feel) is a heart funtion.