Stephanie managed to get Lena, our westie into the basket for a second! She is so spunky and full of life that even illness doesn't stop her. Praise God!  We can learn from our animals.

"My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.  {Proverbs 2:1-5}

Sometimes we wonder why did Jesus speak in parables? Why didn't He speak plainly for all people to understand? Ah, His words are jewels that need to sought after by those who have a desire to know what they mean. Jesus wants all people to know plainly what He is saying, but if it is not worth your time to dig them up, maybe you don't want them that badly.

And so we see the same thing in this proverb. Treat my words and commands as treasure, and hide them in your heart, where they will benefit you, and help you in the way that you should go. Does God want us to fear Him, oh yes He does, because He is powerful and if you fear God, you won't fear anything else.  Remember He's the one who spoke the world into existence! He is to be revered.

Once Jesus is our single focus, He can begin to speak to us. We can be so divided and distracted, but our only need is to stay close to Him. Find a place where you can be alone. Sit there, and pour out your heart's cry to Him, He is there! Allow Him to pour His love back into you where those hurts and feelings were before you gave them to Him. Soak up His love and grace, because there is nothing in this world that compares! He designed your heart, and only He can fix it.