As I sat behind my desk, ready to write, Paigey (our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) looked up at me from beside the desk. Then she pulled her ball out and brought it to me.

“Okay, here you go.” I tossed it over the desk and our pretty red and white girl chased it. But she wouldn’t bring it back to me behind the desk, no matter how much I cajoled her.

Finally I got out of my chair and walked around to stand in front of the desk where Paigey had my full attention. We played ball ’til she tired and lay down on her carpet.

Don’t we want that from those we love, and who love us? I love it when Don sits and listens with undivided attention. I feel heard, understood, loved.

And God has promised that kind of attention to us. “Casting all your cares on Him, for He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). We can approach the throne of God with confidence, knowing He hears, loves us, and cares about our needs. And while His answer may at times be different than what we ask for (my first husband died despite thousands of prayers wending heavenward for his recovery), He has promised always to be with us, never to leave nor forsake us.

His goal for us is not to be our personal genie, but to work in our hearts and lives, purifying us for His purposes–and for heaven!

I love the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 71, his confidence in God, his Rock and Defender!

“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence since my youth…

⁹ Do not cast me away when I am old;
    do not forsake me when my strength is gone…

¹⁴ As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more.

¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.
¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
¹⁷ Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

¹⁹ Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
    you who have done great things.
    Who is like you, God?
²⁰ Though you have made me see troubles,
    many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will again bring me up.
²¹ You will increase my honor
    and comfort me once more.

²² I will praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
    Holy One of Israel.
²³ My lips will shout for joy
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.
²⁴ My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
    have been put to shame and confusion.”

Psalm 71:5-24

The Psalmist reminds me to praise God for His faithful works in my life and the lives of others, for His comforting hand in all my ways, His ears that hear my heart’s cry for His complete love and attention.

So I will praise Him.