For my birthday this year my sister-in-law presented me with a copy of a book I might not necessarily have been drawn to entitled The Curious History of the Heart. It was written by a dear friend of hers, a noted cardiologist by the name of Dr. Vincent Figuerredo. At first I was a bit “curious”, especially since – as I have mentioned before – my precious granddaughter was born with only half a heart and has had many surgeries so far in her short life. Not having a scientific mind at all, I was also very intimidated, anticipating being left behind in the midst of medical terms a mile long which few can pronounce and others don’t care to try. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted as I “stuck my toe in the water” and ventured into the gifted tome. In fact, I finished the latter half of the book (the most technical part) in just one day and loved it! How many of us know that as early as 2600 BC in Mesopotamia, the absence of a heartbeat was already understood to mean death? That in the 1400s (AD) Leonardo da Vinci drew the first heart that was anatomically correct? And, to think I though he was “just” an artist…Various religions over the years recognized the significance of the heart.
Dr. Figuerredo covers the history of the heart and how various cultures viewed it over time. We find the heart as a focus in literature, music, poetry, and yet, basically it’s a pump. The discoveries of medicines and surgeries and procedures (which have kept my granddaughter alive) have been phenomenal and it continues on – with even the possibility of creating a heart through 3D printing sometime in the future for those who need a transplant and find none available. That sounds far-fetched and ridiculous, but so did transplants a few years ago.
There is disagreement about what is more important to the body – the brain or the heart. It turns out they work together so how does one pick?
I learned from the book that a cardiologist is either an electrician or a plumber. That’s how specialized it gets!!!
The Bible has a lot to say about the heart. It tells us:
“Know the God of your Father and serve Him with a whole heart.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)
“A tranquil heart is life to the body.” (Proverbs 14:30)
To the Pharisees: “You justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts.” (Luke 16:15)
“Out of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34)
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
“Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15)
“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1)
We walk around daily with an amazing piece of equipment that keeps us going. We don’t usually give it a second thought. It is intricate and it is fascinating. And, we have our Creator to thank for it.
It’s a matter of the heart.
“Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…” (Genesis 2:7)
Thank you for sharing your journey through this book. We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made by our God. Blessings.
More food from Him thru you. Thx Teri. Happy that you share with us from your heart every week!
You have shared Such great facts Teri! Especially to think that God knows our hearts, and we can experience His peace in our hearts. Oh that my words would reflect a cleansed and peaceful heart!❤️
Thank you for sharing such a profound view of the heart, both physically and spiritually. God has truly made us unique. I pray my heart will unite with His. Let us never forget how He wants to be in fellowship with Him
We must remember “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Prov. 4:23
Great comments! There’s the heart and then there’s the heart – interesting that it is so much more than an organ, but the region of the heart has deep spiritual sensitivity. Our heart feels, but our heart keeps like, as well. Thanks for reading the book for us so we don’t have to!
Beautiful 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We are indeed wonderfully made.
Thank you for sharing. Our heart is more than a organ.