Heart of Gold

Merril and I have a favourite group called Switchfoot.  They were all excited not long ago as they were opening for David Bowie.  We had them on at one place which needed electrical work.  The guy who came to do it commented on how good the music was.  We have a song we consider “our song.”  It is called “The Sound” and is really heavy.  Still we get off listening to it.
I mention them because I was listening to a song of theirs this morning.  Some words really stood out to me.  “A heart that’s made of gold can’t really beat at all.”  When I say a heart of gold it is not like I mean a heart that is hard, cold and yellow.  Just like looking a million dollars does not mean green and wrinkled.
Why what was said means something to me is because I think it is right.  A beating heart of gold is what I want to see, and it sure beats the alternative.  People that care and do right by those around them, are always more welcome to me than those that only look out for themselves.
The guy that paddled towards the Great White shark to save his wife showed a heart of gold.  The people that caught the child that jumped from a burning building had a heart of gold.  Those that intervene to rescue someone in trouble generally have a heart of gold.
I have a Christmas shirt that says, “all I want for Christmas is everything.”  I want a heart of gold, but I also want a heart that beats.  To me, doing the right thing is great.  I do want to do it with a beating heart rather than doing it only because that is the way I am wired and my heart of gold does not beat.  There is no doubt in my mind that someone doing an act that exhibits a heart of gold whether the heart beats or not, is always a good thing though.
I am thankful for any heart of gold but what I heard once sticks with me.  It said what is happening is like us reading a book on the porch.  We are so absorbed in what we read we are unaware of how dark it has gotten until we look up.
I look forward to the new normal, but I am apprehensive about what that could be. 
Hearts of gold are in abundance.  I am going to enjoy them.