Once, the Baal Shem Tov and his many students were journeying through a forest. As they entered a clearing, they saw a vast, frozen lake. That wouldn't have been too bad, except for the idolatrous image that was carved into it.

"Rabbi!" Exclaimed his students, "You've always taught us that everything we see and experience is a lesson in life and in the service of G-d. But what in the world could be the purpose of G-d Showing us this!?"



The Baal Shem Tov paused for a moment, and then turned to his students. "Why are you able to see such an image?" 
"Because the water is frozen," they answered. 
"But if the water were to be warmed up, this image would not be able to exist, correct?"


The students understood the message. 
When one's relationship with God is cold, lacking joy and excitement, it can lead to the worst of things.



How do we stay warm in our spiritual connection? One way is by always remembering how lucky we are to be the children of the King, who loves us and cherishes our relationship. Like a young child whose every movement and motion is cherished by his parents, we must remember how beloved we are, and how every effort we make to connect to the Divine One is beloved to Him. We may fall down from time to time, but like a child beginning to learn how to walk, surely the child's father smiles the entire way, as long as the child is trying his best to stand up. We can only do our best, and our best is very appreciated above.



TODAY'S CHALLENGE: Visualize something good you did recently, and take a moment to bask in that. Recognize how fortunate you are to be able to perfect God's world.



COMMENT BELOW: Do you find it difficult to leave Shabbat? Or do you enjoy the new challenge of the week?