“Grammy, I did it!”

“Wow! Great job!” I replied with enthusiasm.

Our granddaughter and grandson are here today and we were doing some preschool projects when Faye announced with pride she’d finished her page.

Of course Bubba was quick to finish and show his off as well.

“Watch! Grammy! Watch!” Was heard frequently.

Which caused me to pause and think about this tendency to show others our abilities or to share what our children or grandchildren have accomplished.

Is this desire simply the flesh nature which wants to be praised, in other words is this simply about pride?

Although, I think it could be, but at the ages of 2 and 3, my heart is inclined to believe that their desires arise from a different desire.

God created people to be in a relationship with Him and with one another.

My grandchildren’s words were an effort to share their accomplishments, their experiences with me.

And all this made me think of my Heavenly Father and my relationship with Him.

As it blesses my heart to have our grandchildren calling my name, eager to share things with me.

I can’t imagine that it doesn’t bless my Heavenly Father when I come before Him in prayer, enthusiastic about sharing my day, my experiences, and my heart.

Of course it’s a bit different.

I’m learning to say, “Father, what do You want me to do?” rather than, “Watch this!”.

I’m growing in patient, waiting with, “Lord, lead me,” and less often saying, “I do’d it!

My heart has been blessed by both the love of these precious little ones and by the love of God Almighty, my Heavenly Father through the gift of Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:9-10 NKJV — In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your salvation. Thank You for walking with me and giving me so many blessings, teaching me through the little and the big. Lord, please call to grow me up in You and Your Word. Please help me get walk with You, waiting upon Your guidance and direction rather than walking in my own ways. Lord, please help me to have self-discipline, that I might not sin against You or anyone else. Lord, thank You for Your gift today, an opportunity to share in our grandchildren’s lives is such a blessing. Lord, thank You for loving me even more than I can imagine. Thank You for sacrificing Yourself for me. Please use my life to reflect Your light. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

The hummingbird feeder

No birds at the moment as I scared them away by getting too close!

I love how God uses things in my day to teach me truths.

Not long after it began getting colder our hummingbird feeder began to gain a lot of attention.

Since we hung it up this spring it’s been busy with two or three hummingbirds.

Of course they refuse to share, and although there are several areas on the feeder to drink from normally we only see one at a time because they run each other off.

But lately we’ve had four to five birds chasing each other around the feeder, back and forth across the yard.

One morning I got up to check the amount of food in the feeder because of the fervor I was witnessing from my bedroom window.

The feeder is just out of sight, but the birds flying round and around were not.

As the kids and I watched the birds land and then fly off again as another flew at them in an effort to gain a seat on the feeder, I commented.

“It’s crazy, I wish they could understand that no matter how many of them drink at the feeder I’m going to continue to refill it. If they’d just all share, they’d have enough.”

I suddenly realized that’s exactly what God would say to me.

He will provide.

I don’t need to “horde” things, but to generously share with others as I’m able and to trust God to refill my “feeder”.

Because, there is no lack with God.

Jesus fed the five thousand. (John 6:1-13)

He caused a huge catch of fish.(Luke 5:1-7)

He healed the sick, raised the dead, surely He can and will provide for my need. (Matt. 8:16, Mark 1:34, Luke 4:40, Luke 7:12-16)

Philippians 4:19 NKJV — And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The hummingbirds at our feeder can’t understand that I care about them and have no intention of letting them starve.

These are God’s creation and He cares for them.

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29‭-‬31 NKJV

God’s love is incredible and I can rest in His provision.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for these little birds and joy our family has of watching them and feeding them. Lord, please help us to be wise and to follow You in all we do. Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are our provision. Please help me to be generous and to willingly give as You lead me. Lord, shine Your truth into my heart and mind and teach me Your ways, that I might not sin against You. Lord, thank You for the birds and the lesson I have each day just outside my window. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Eight days before Christmas

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:8 NKJV

Some of God’s most faithful followers have been shepherds.

Abraham, Moses, Israel, and David were all shepherds.

In fact all the sons of Israel were shepherds except Joseph.

The prophet Amos was a shepherd.

Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’
Amos 7:14‭-‬15 NKJV

There’s definitely something about shepherding which seems to draw one to God.

A group of shepherds were about to meet Him face to face.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will  be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:9‭-‬12 NKJV

As if this wasn’t enough to get their attention…

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:13‭-‬14 NKJV

These nameless men, suddenly became historical giants.

Because they were given a very special gift.

They were invited to see the Babe Who would save the world.

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:15‭-‬18 NKJV

Obviously, God knew exactly who He was inviting to the Nativity.

These shepherds didn’t keep quiet about what they’d seen.

They shared the good news “widely”.

This Christmas let us follow their example.

Let us share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

His birth, His life, His death, and His Resurrection!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for choosing these humble shepherds to be the ones to receive the announcement of Your birth as well as spread the good news of Who You are. Lord, I love that You are the Good Shepherd. You have done more for me than I can even comprehend. Lord, thank You! Please help me and my family to share the good news of You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.