I was walking the lambs and thought it would be nice to share pictures of the things I’m thankful for.
Because God’s creation calls us to worship Him through it’s splendor.
Jeremiah 32:17 KJV — Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Psalm 107:1-2 KJV — O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Psalm 107:8-9 KJV — Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 40:9 KJV — I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
Psalm 111:2 KJV — The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You so much for all Your works. You have created such beauty! May my heart never cease to praise You. Lord, please help me to look on creation and rejoice in Your goodness and Your faithfulness. Thank You for all You have done and are doing. May the earth be filled with the knowledge of Your glory as the waters fill the sea. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
In our family, hand-me-downs are a clothing staple.
We’ve been blessed, more times than I would attempt to recall, with clothes from others.
It’s a continuing part of our family’s story, because our oldest daughters often share with each other and with me.
I have a vivid memory involving hand-me-downs.
One of our daughters had been frustrated by the deficiencies of her closet, as well as my inability to afford to take her shopping.
She’d been teased by her peers and my heart hurt for her as she related what happened.
She concluded with,”When I grow up, I’m going to have a good job and buy all the clothes I want.”
I smiled.
“Or you could follow the Lord and trust Him to provide for all your needs.”
She sighed.
“Right now, I have a huge bag of clothes, I was just given, in the back of the car. God always supplies our needs.”
Her entire demeanor changed.
When we reached home we enjoyed going through the bag.
That moment was a lesson for me, because I’d been worrying over things.
The Lord has used that moment in another way too.
My flesh tends to be greedy, close-handed, because “I might need that some day”.
If someone wasn’t generous with their clothes we wouldn’t have received the bag, therefore, I too need to be generous and refuse to horde.
It wasn’t long after this lesson I began to tell the girls (and put into practice), “If you haven’t worn it in a year, if you don’t love it or it doesn’t fit, give it away, because you won’t wear it.”
The years have slipped past and I’m still learning about generosity and open-handed life.
For me, things are often like the tide, coming and going, and although I have a number of items which decorate our home or are useful, I try to hold them not as mine, but as something I’m stewarding.
I don’t want to miss an opportunity the Lord brings to bless someone else, whether that be now or in the future.
But that doesn’t mean the things God has given into my care are not enjoyed.
In fact, I think I enjoy them more.
For they represent God’s loving care and amazing blessings.
The lessons I’m learning are far more valuable than the stuff.
Hebrews 13:5 KJV — Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your faithfulness. You teach me every day and I am so grateful. Lord, I have often fallen into worry, especially when it comes to stuff. Thank You for reminding me of what You have done and how You have always fulfilled every need. Lord, thank You for trusting me with the things You have placed in my care. Please help me to recognize Your will daily and to live generously. Lord, I don’t want to sin against You either by coveting or by not being thankful. Please help me to live with an open hand and an open heart. I love You. Amen.
Set backs here on our tiny farm, which have cost me.
Just after filling our grain up, Eppie crawled under the gate (because I hadn’t latched the bottom) knocked it over and wasted a bunch on the barn floor.
Our rooster started attacking me.
Our milking goat suddenly started jerking her feed can out of the milking stand and throwing grain and all over the floor during milking.
We had to put down our sick lamb, even though we took him to the vet and got new meds.
I’d put three eggs down “for just a minute” in the container where my veggie seeds were waiting to be planted, when I finally remembered them I found all broken by a bird and the seed packets floating in egg yolk, causing the paper to release their seeds in a gooey mess.
Putting the lamb down was the hardest part, as I’ve spent weeks trying to keep him alive only to find out he had brain damage.
It’s through these things I gain perspective.
Romans 8:18 NKJV [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Because I know God’s Word is true.
Romans 8:28 NKJV [28] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
So, I have spent some time seeking the Lord, and thanking Him.
Our daughter said something recently that echoed what I’ve thought and spoken many times.
“I just want a place where I can raise animals, have a garden, and make it profitable.”
(How did I pass that on?)
But in these past days and weeks of things not working, of spending money to see nothing but another bill, I’ve had to admit:
I can’t.
I can’t just work really hard and make everything right, everything pretty, everything nice.
And with that perspective I surrender.
I surrender my wants and dreams and desires into the hands of the Lord.
Because it’s all His.
I didn’t create the lives of these animals, nor the trees, nor the plants, and I am not able to “keep it alive”.
Because God didn’t give me that job.
He simply asks me to steward that which He gives for as long as He gives it.
Expecting me to do my best, holding it all with open hands.
Praising Him while continually seeking Him for direction and discernment.
For even my life is not mine.
1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV — For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your truth and understanding. Lord, thank You for the dozen good things that have come out of these frustrating things. Lord, for the faithfulness of walking with me and guiding me constantly, I thank You. Lord, Your ways are perfect and Your truth is life. It is in You that I find all I need. Lord, please continue to keep me from selfish ambition and pride. Thank You for correcting me when I stray into things that don’t honor You. Psalms 19:13-14 NKJV [13] Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. [14] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. I love You, Lord. Amen.
Psalm 39:1 KJV
[1] I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
This phrase caused me to ponder: “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue”.
As one who struggles with taming the tongue, I felt this line holds an important truth.
One I need to review and apply.
The phrase is actually: “I heed will take”.
Strong’s Definitions: שָׁמַר shâmar, shaw-mar’; a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:—beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
The point is clear, the Psalmist is going to guard their ways, what they are doing, that they might not sin with their words.
Which is the application point for me this day.
I’ve been slack with watching my doings of late and my lips have proved it.
In the last week I’ve been more disappointed with the unruly tongue than in the past month.
While texting my husband this morning, I requested he pray James 3, uhm… something.
(I couldn’t recall the verse.)
James 3:2 KJV — For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
The same strain of music is heard in these words as in those from the Psalmist.
Those who tame the tongue have rule over their whole body.
My attention to my actions has a direct response with the words flowing from my mouth.
Guarding my actions begins with the heart.
Choosing daily to walk in the ways of my Lord by surrender.
For only through Christ will I be able to be self controlled, for it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT — For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Therefore, it is in the surrendering of myself before God that brings me victory over the flesh in both words and deeds, which is indeed precious.
Such truth applied this morning has brought about, to attend to my ways, to guard my heart, and be attentive to my walk with my Lord and Savior with gratitude, joy, and prayer.
Psalm 141:3 KJV — Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for using this verse to grab my attention to the true issue. Thank You for teaching me that I need to do more than grieve over the errors of my lips. I must be attending to what I’m thinking about, listening to, being influenced by, and how well I’m applying God’s Word to my heart. Lord, thank You for correcting me. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for helping me. Lord, thank You for giving me Your Spirit that I might enjoy the fruit of self-control. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
From childhood, I’ve struggled with feeling understood.
As an adult, I’ve tasted many sweet moments when someone has seen into me and it’s surprised me every time.
They come at intervals, but more and more frequently as our children have grown into adults.
Saturday was one of those moments.
Bell gave me a Mother’s Day gift that really blessed my heart.
When I was a young teen, my godmother gave me her copy of a book that, “was my favorite when I was your age”.
I read the book only once, due to it’s fragile condition: Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter.
My mom purchased first as a paperback, and later beautiful hardback book so I could reread the story without damaging the copy from my godmother.
Bell shares my love of old books and she found an old copy.
“I searched and searched. I was there a while and had nearly given up, but then I saw it, sitting on the floor underneath another book.”
It looks different than my old copy and after comparing the publishing dates, we found this copy is far older and in much better condition.
She also gave me a magazine, because, “I saw it and it looked like you“.
That was the delightful part, she knows me.
I truly feel that these moments are precious to me, because I don’t expect them.
The Lord used my past of being misunderstood to show me He knows me better than I do.
Luke 12:7 KJV — But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
God knows my heart and every detail of my life.
Psalm 139:1 KJV — To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
And being so well known to God has brought me to seeking the Lord for the intimacy which comes from being understood.
Which in turn, makes it all the sweeter when others know me too.
Psalm 139:17 NKJV — How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your insight into my heart. Thank You for Your love and compassion. Lord, thank You knowing me better than I know myself and for honing my heart. Lord, thank You for Bell and her husband. Thank You for Sis and her husband. Thank You for Jase and Anne. I know You are the reason Bell was able to find the book and it blesses me. Thank You for the details in life that remind me of Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your truth. Lord, please let me be used to bless others as You have blessed me. Thank You. Amen.
Ephesians 4:12-13KJV — For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
This idea of being perfected is seen in multiple scriptures in the New Testament.
The glorious part of it all is our inability to be perfect without Christ.
All these verses are within the understanding that those who are being perfected have surrendered their lives to Jesus, for no one can be perfect without Him.
Matthew 5:48 KJV — Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
The perfection which one longs for, the desire to do good, is
Philippians 3:12-15 NKJV
[12] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. [13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
It is a journey of being perfected, which brings one closer and to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 KJV — And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This journey also brings glory to God as others, observe the perfecting, are brought into a knowledge of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV — Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
It’s a perfection one can only gain through the Lord, not the flimsy fabrication of the world’s.
Rather, it’s genuine, authentic, pure, for it comes from the only One who is: Jesus.
Be encouraged, it’s a beautiful process the Lord undertakes when one’s soul is surrendered to Him.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV
[20] Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, [21] make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your wonderful works which brings us such incredible blessings. Lord, thank You for perfecting those who belong to You. Thank You that it’s nothing we do, we simply surrender to Your perfect will. Lord, thank You that You are good, holy, gentle, kind, compassionate, and so loving. Thank You that it is in Your salvation we find all we need, including the correction, instruction, and exhortation. Lord, thank You for loving me before You began perfecting me and for continuing to love me throughout. Lord Jesus, thank You for all Your wonderous works! I love You, Jesus. Amen.
“So,…what are you doing with the lambs? Why are you raising so many?” Bell asked me as we walked to the barn each carrying bottles.
I smiled, “There’s only four.”
She nodded and smiled back.
“Yeah, but what’s the plan?”
I paused, wanting to express my full thoughts on the subject succinctly.
“Well, because God opened the door. Obviously, I plan on raising them for meat, if they all survive, but possibly one or more will be for others.”
I’ve wondered, at times, why God has me putting so much time and effort into raising bottle lambs.
There’s the low cost side of things, as the meat is far less expensive than to purchase it.
It’s helping the ranchers I get them from, as they don’t have time to raise them.
It’s giving the lambs a better chance of survival than if they’d been left in the field.
But I think God has me doing this because I enjoy it.
I enjoy raising bottle sheep.
Yes, it’s a lot of work, but there’s many rewards.
Last week I was walking the lambs around the orchard and noticed a neighbor.
They had slowed way down to look at the four little white lambs bouncing or nibbling around me.
She smiled.
I waved.
There’s something special in sharing these cute fragile little creatures.
Our grandchildren love to come help me feed the lambs each year.
Recently, I was surprised by a video and text message from our daughter.
The video was of our two year old granddaughter holding a sippy cup, for her baby brother, who was crawling across the carpet.
It concluded with her smiling triumphantly at the camera.
I was a bit puzzled, then read the message and laughed heartily.
Joy (the two year old): *I know what I’m doing I’ve fed Grammy’s sheep!*
Raising bottle lambs is worth the work, because it blesses others and in so doing I pray I’m bringing my Savior glory.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV — Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
My time on Earth is precious and I pray my daily tasks are unto my Lord Jesus.
Colossians 3:17 KJV — And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for helping me do things daily. Lord, I want to honor You in all I do, even those things which are less enjoyable than others. Lord, thank You for the opportunity to raise bottle lambs. Thank You for the things I am learning through the daily work.
My husband needed me to meet him, in a town nearby, with some items, he was heading out on a short work trip.
It made sense for me to swing by the store while I was there.
As I rounded aisles in search of things my attention kept going to my purse.
It was a second hand one I purchased four or five years ago, I can’t recall.
Frustrated with the thing sliding down my arm every few minutes, I tried ignoring it.
But it wouldn’t be ignored.
While bending down, to grab an item on the bottom shelf, it swung off my shoulder and nearly hit me in the face.
Embarrassing!
I grabbed at it and one finger went clean through the bottom.
My frustration evaporated.
“Thank You, Lord, for showing me this!”
My gratitude overflowed.
Not only does my purse carry a variety of important things, it holds both my inhalers and my other prescription.
My wallet is bulky and probably wouldn’t drop out, but my medication could.
“Well, it’s time for a different purse, but I’m not going to buy a new one, I’ll get a second hand one,” I thought.
The place I was currently shopping doesn’t carry purses.
There are three second hand stores not far from where I was.
It made sense to shop at one of those rather than drive another twenty minutes farther into our nearest city and shop at a department store.
My husband would be meeting me soon, down the road.
I paid for my purchases, carefully holding my purse, and left.
As I drove I started praying, “Which Second Hand store should I go to?”
Silence.
Not even an inkling was coming to mind only my own words:
“I’m not going to buy a new purse, I’ll get a second hand one!”
“Why the attitude? What’s my problem?” I asked the Lord.
A snob.
Conviction filled my soul.
That was it, I was being a snob.
All my excuses for shopping at the second hand store was really pride.
Somewhere, inside my heart, I’d started thinking better of myself because “I buy second hand” as if that was a great virtue.
Don’t get me wrong, being wise with one’s purchases is honorable before God.
But it is the heart’s motivation that is what is honorable, and the Lord had clearly shown me my motivation was not honoring Him.
Admitting my wrong, I sought His forgiveness, and asked where He wanted me to buy a purse.
Sunrise Thrift Store
Smiling, I drove up, went in, and prayerfully considered the purses for sale.
After a little while, I found the one I felt was it and looked at a few other things, praying my heart would honor the Lord.
It was getting close to the time to meet my husband and I began to head toward the check out, when I just felt I should swing past the dishes.
Here is an area of weakness for me.
I love dishes, and have far more than we can possibly use in a day, so I felt a little nervous.
“Lord, what am I looking for?”
I didn’t want to be greedy and just buy something cute that caught my eye.
I scanned the items and continued to seek God’s leading.
Nothing seemed to stand out and I’d decided it was my own desire which led me over here and not the Lord.
Then, I saw the mugs.
Four chunky large white mugs, exactly what I have been wanting for our cup rack next to the coffee maker.
I’d nearly purchase these identical mugs a few years ago for my husband to have a “man’s sized cup”, but couldn’t get peace with it.
Earlier in the week I’d had a passing thought, “Large white mugs near the coffee maker would be nice”.
And here they were.
God’s grace is astounding.
Not only did He show me the hole in my purse, before I lost something, He corrected my attitude, and then blessed me abundantly.
It was a terrarium moment.
Like looking on the whole of my relationship with God through a miniature under glass.
In a few minutes, God reminded me of how He has saved me from terrible loss, separation from Him for eternity, after accepting His forgiveness He has been polishing my character, and He continues to pour His blessings into my life, which I don’t deserve and could never earn, and thus I give glory to God.
1 Corinthians 1:29-31 KJV
[29] that no flesh should glory in his presence. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
It’s another beautiful moment in my walk with Christ.
And more memorials around me to testify of God’s faithfulness and love.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for not only showing me myself, but preserving me from loss. Thank You for convicting me of my pride and forgiving me. Thank You for showing me a better way. Lord Jesus, all these material things are temporary and of little value, but I thank You for blessing me through them, for providing them. Lord Jesus, please continue to help me be diligent to seek You, gentle in actions and attitudes, loving at all times and learning meekness. Lord, there are so many people in this world who are suffering greatly and my heart breaks over their desperation. Lord, please show me where I can be generous, how to use these things You have given me to steward in a way that’s honoring You. Lord, teach me to be aware of the need around me and to be open-handed. Lord, please help me to use the things You have placed in our lives to be a blessing to others. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 40:16 KJV [16] Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, the LORD be magnified.
These words spoke loudly to me this morning.
For some time, I’ve been learning about rejoicing in the Lord, and this year the lesson has multiplied.
The multiplication has come from a better understanding of my Savior.
As knowledge of God grows deeper, rejoicing blooms in my heart and from the overflow of the heart, my lips speak.
Therefore, seeking God and loving His salvation flowers continually into rejoicing and proclaiming:
The LORD be magnified!
Although, I do not always say those exact words, the point is the same; praising God.
As the psalmist declares, those who seek Him, those who love Him and trust in His salvation, find their spiritual sight cleaned of the stains and blinding muck of sin.
With this gift of spiritual sight comes a peace and joy which far surpasses anything of this world.
Through God’s Word one can find the cleansing, healing truth which waters the soul, for it tells of the redemption of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 119:111 KJV — Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for this verse touching my heart by confirming what I’ve been learning. Thank You for reminding me that I can always find reason to praise, for You are worthy of all worship. Thank You that even in the deepest sorrow or most frightening circumstance, I can rejoice in You, for Your Word brings me understanding and Your truth illuminates my soul. Lord, for those who are called by Your name and are struggling, please help their relationship with You to deepen. Lord, for those who are new to this relationship with You, please protect them from the lies of the enemy, the busyness of deception, and the snares of pleasing self. Lord, for those who have heard the truth and turned their back on Your Word and Your wisdom, I humbly request You remind them of what true love is, what the fruits of righteousness are, and how temporary this life on earth is. Lord, please break through the lies that chain them to false ways and set their feet upon solid ground. Thank You, Jesus. I love You, Lord. Amen.
Sunsets, waterfalls, mountains, misty valleys, flowers, trees, certain animals, people, especially children… beautiful!
Even man made things cause me to pause and drink in the beauty.
Paintings, timeless architecture, gardens, vignettes, beautifully decorated homes…even neatly organized closets or drawers or bookshelves…so many things touch that part of me which loves beauty.
But there’s a negative side to finding so much pleasure in what I see.
Life is messy.
Lawns grow, weeds take over, landslides demolish a bank of trees, animals are messy…
Looking out at the sheep grazing in the field is restful, lovely, picturesque.
Cleaning manure from the pens in barn…hard manual labor and filled with odors.
It doesn’t end with nature or raising livestock.
People are messy!
Living isn’t a bunch of still life photographs, for that kind of beauty isn’t alive.
And although I often weary of the continuing cycle of clean-dirty-clean-dirty…
Proverbs 14:4 KJV — Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Life is a gift.
The beauty wouldn’t be if there wasn’t the work, the toil, the life God gave.
And doesn’t the effort involved cause one to appreciate more deeply?
Even if the effort is not our own, we should be grateful for the work which brought the beauty.
Genesis 1:1 KJV — In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your work. How great they are! Lord Jesus, thank You for Your gifts, including the work which comes with them. Lord, thank You for the pleasure which comes from a hard-day’s- work and the blessings of the ability to do things. Lord, thank You for those who work hard to care for others. Those whose work may go unappreciated and unseen, but are diligent and gently continuing on. Lord, for those who are unable to do things for themselves and are left to the care of others, help them to be grateful, patient, and understanding. Help them to see work they can do whether it be prayer, praise, or simply peaceful, for our attitudes have as much impact on those around us as our words or actions. Lord, thank You for Your innumerable blessings! Thank You for beauty here in Your creation. I know it’s merely a tiny reflection of the beauty in You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 