Heart

Proverbs 6:6-23 (NRSV) Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise. Without having any chief or officer or ruler, it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest. How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior. A scoundrel and a villain goes around with crooked speech, winking the eyes, shuffling the feet, pointing the fingers, with perverted mind devising evil, continually sowing discord; on such a one calamity will descend suddenly; in a moment, damage beyond repair. There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family. My child, keep your father's commandment, and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,  Who knew the word "lazybones" was in the Bible?  That's a hard word to read right now I think for some in the Northeast.  After the last ice storm and another storm coming, I don't know many who have been lazy.  In fact, I rather feel like an ant today - knowing it's time to make preparations and be busy as I get ready for what's coming. In all of this though is really the familiar theme we see over and over again in the Hebrew Scriptures:  keep your father's commandment...bind them on your heart always. Bind them on your heart. It always comes back to the heart for God.  Where is our heart?  Who owns it?  Who has control of it?  Who do we entrust it to?  God knows where it should be. Again we see that the commandment and God's ways - and scripture - are light to guide us.  Light that shines to show our heart the way home. God's looking for our hearts.  Not just our minds - believing the right thing or saying or doing the right thing.  Not just the words from our lips.  But our whole hearts.  Our selves. God of love, change our hearts so that they may always yearn for home.  For you.  Amen.