Category: Health

The Heart of the Matter

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This devotion was originally published in The Heart Community Collection’s quarterly magazine earlier this month. Read all the inspiring and motivating stories here: The Heart Community Collection magazine.

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps. 86:1) 

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation to make February American Heart Month, and for those with congenital heart disease (CHD), American Heart Month provides an opportunity to spread awareness. This year, CHD Awareness week is celebrated from February 7–14.

While I don’t have CHD, I do understand the importance of heart health. After college, I worked for an Area Agency on Aging as a monitor for the senior nutrition program, and several years later, I worked for a local nonprofit to implement nutrition and physical activity programs in cities and towns, schools, and businesses. Through these jobs, I learned about the impact nutrition has on our heart health. Continue reading “The Heart of the Matter” →

Longing for Peace

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This post was originally published on December 23, 2019.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6)

Peace is elusive. With the invention of the smartphone, we are constantly connected and bombarded by dings, rings, and chimes. Instead of finding activities to engage our minds, we pull out our phones when we’re bored and pass the time on mindless games or scrolling through social media. We have email on our phones, so even when we’re away from the office, we’re still available and always on call. “Downtime” isn’t a word that’s even in our vocabulary anymore. Continue reading “Longing for Peace” →

Working Together as the Body of Christ

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor. 12: 27)

A few months ago, when it was too cold to walk outside, I decided to change up my exercise routine and work out inside. I signed up for some free workout videos, some of which were much more vigorous than my usual walk. My Yorkie, Lilly, watched from her comfy spot on the couch. She likes to walk, but working out just isn’t her thing.

Not long after a particularly spirited workout, the pain set in. At that point, I’d been exercising for almost a month, so I thought my body had adjusted. But that day, I woke with an aching hip, and the pain spread to my knee and my back. After a few days of rest, the pain subsided, and I could move normally again. I resolved to stick to walking and forego the more energetic workouts for a while. Continue reading “Working Together as the Body of Christ” →

What the Light Revealed

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” (2 Sam. 22:29)

At this time last year, we were still in the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Originally scheduled for three weeks and then extended to six, we believed we would get the virus under control and be back to our normal lives by Easter 2020.

Well, we all know how that turned out. Continue reading “What the Light Revealed” →

The Heart: What Makes Us Who We Are

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Mt. 22:37)

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation to make February American Heart Month. With the ongoing, global COVID pandemic, paying attention to our heart health carries even more importance since the virus impacts the heart.

One of my first jobs out of college was working for an Area Agency on Aging. I monitored the nutrition program, among other things, and I learned about the importance nutrition has on our heart health. Even before that job, I was interested in taking care of my heart because of the health problems run in my family. All four of my biological grandparents had heart problems, and three of my mom’s five brothers have now passed away from heart attacks. Continue reading “The Heart: What Makes Us Who We Are” →