Desert

God said, "I will allure her in the desert and speak to her heart."
My desert could be any place.
When I am bereft of my securities, when I feel helpless in front of life's forces, I am in the desert.
When I feel totally alone, despite being surrounded by a crowd, I am in the desert.
The paradox is, it is only when I am in this difficult place called the desert that my heart becomes ready to listen.
Finally, God can speak to me.