My Heartsong

I suppose that most people, whom we've all come to admire, didn't start out thinking they would inspire millions. Maybe that's what makes them special. They were or are just ordinary people, living their lives. That's certainly what Mattie Stepanek did. He lived his life, all 14 years of it, in a manner that few of us can ever hope to do.

Mattie's story is one of hope and faith. Of courage and love. And above all, of peace. He is one of the reasons I created this blog; to share his story with you. His hope, his faith, his courage, his love, and his message of peace.

The second reason for this blog is because of my two little girls. For those of you who are parents, you know what it's like to love your children. It's a feeling that is intense, yet indesrcibable at the same time. Being a parent is a huge responsibility that goes beyond making sure they are fed and bathed and clothed. It's about teaching them to love, to show compassion, to care, to be merciful, to forgive --with no boundaries--and to give back to the world in a way that God would someday welcome them into heaven and say to them, "Well done, good and faithful one." This is my wish and my prayer as a parent; to raise these girls this way.

This is what Mattie would call my "heartsong". In fact, each of us has been blessed with this. It's what stirs within our hearts; almost as a mission or our purpose on this Earth. Some day, Mattie hoped to envision the world; its people; its "heartsongs" united for a common purpose--peace and love. It seems so simple, doesn't it?

Before marriage and children, it seemed that I had my own dreams and thoughts about making a difference in this world. But as I got busy, as life got busy, I forgot all about it....until I walked into a Barnes and Noble two days ago and Mattie's book, "Reflections of a Peacemaker", caught my eye. I sat down to read a few of his poems and that was it. My heartsong was awakened.

I may never influence people like a Mother Theresa or a Martin Luther King, Jr. or a Mattie Stepanek, but there are two little girls who I can and SHOULD influence. Two little girls who look to me as their example; their mirror of who they can become. And so, it is my mission, my song, to be the kind of person I hope my girls will grow up to be. A person of hope and faith. Of courage and love. And above all, of peace.

So, I invite all of you to join me, to help me, to pray for me in carrying this message on. Whether it's to your children, your families, your community, your workplace; wouldn't you agree that we can make a difference, even in the slightest way, with our "heartsongs"? I would love for you to share your stories with me as you discover your special mission; your purpose, and in the meantime, I will learn more about our friend, Mattie, and his mission, and what we can do to carry on his legacy.

Prayer for a Journey

Thank You, God,Not just for life,But for our journey through life. Life is a miracle,and a journey through life is so full of so many more miracles if we travel with our Heartsongs.Thank You, God,for blessing me with the Gift of Heartsongs,So that I can enjoy my miracles.

April, 1998© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus StepanekUsed with permission from Journey Through Heartsongs, Hyperion, 2002

"Well done, good and faithful one."