SPLASHES OF…HOPE! 28TH JUNE 2013
Hello dear Yahweh Sisterhood J Did you think about your name, and has knowing how special even your name is to “Abba Father” made a splashing impact on your psy – che … ie. your mind/your soul? I sure do hope that was your experience, and that it made you feel real good!! Don’t ever forget how precious you are to Jesus!
I’ve been thinking about sheep lately! I suppose having my granddaughter, Kayleigh, married into a 4 Generations sheep farming family in New Zealand got my mind going in that direction, for one thing. I’m sure she never thought she’d be wearing pink flowered gumboots and be cleaning under the tails [Ooh yuck!] of sheep one day in her future, or this being included in God’s plans for her life!
Journeying with Jesus brings many unexpected surprises, believe me! She’s a Dance & Drama Teacher, amongst other artistic things, so cleaning sheep etc. is not all she does with her life! J Another reason is that my granddaughter, Rebecca, brought a smile to my face as I recalled her version of a story I told one evening about a shepherd and sheep, when she was around 6 years of age. This got me taking a closer look at Jesus, Who declared Himself to be “The Good Shepherd” = John 10 : 14, so I searched out some good stuff to splash hope and encouragement into your heart today. I need it too!
So here’s “the story” : In his sermon a preacher related how a really good Shepherd takes care of his sheep. Apart from leading them to good pastures, springs of fresh water, and peaceful places of rest, he also keeps a keen eye out there for predators who may sneak in and steal a sheep, or a lamb; He also knows how to deal with young wayward sheep! The sheep know their shepherd’s voice, and they follow him, but when he has a “rebel” sheep who keeps wandering away and “doing its own thing” where it could be in danger, he has to take what would seem to us to be drastic action for the ultimate good of that sheep. Sometimes then, he has to take that little one and break its leg! Ouch! That’s harsh! What now? Well, he picks it up, gently carries it close to his bosom, and there it stays until that little leg is completely healed. All the while, that little sheep is as close as a heartbeat away from the Shepherd, hears his voice clearly, and then the day comes that he puts it back with the rest of the sheep. From that day on, that sheep never strays away from the rest of the sheep, and listens out for the voice it has become so familiar with, and “obediently” follows the shepherd. Makes you think, doesn’t it?!
I had to smile when I thought back to Rebecca telling her mommy that story, as she was so taken with it, but what stuck out for her was the breaking of its leg, except that she told her mom [who was not at the meeting that night] that the Shepherd breaks all the legs of that wondering sheep! As you can imagine, I had to set that record straight fast, and explain it carefully to a 6 year old, so that she was not – ever! – afraid of JESUS = our Good Shepherd!
Sometimes the Good Shepherd has to “take us in Hand” too, and seemingly deal quite harshly with us, until we learn the life lesson of obeying His voice, to follow Him only, and accepting that HE always knows what’s best for us!
I love reading that Jesus calls Himself a Shepherd . . OUR Shepherd – **please read = John 10 : 1-16, 26-29.. It’s not demeaning for Him to call us Sheep! Sheep are defined in the dictionary as being “meek” ..i.o.w. “Humble”. Jesus Himself was very humble! Did any of you ever hear, or say, as a small child, the prayer “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look upon a little child”… ? Doesn’t that make you think of someone as anything but harsh and gruff in their mannerisms? So, I picture a child – or myself! – cuddling up in the lap of Gentle Jesus, and that sends such warm splashes of peace washing all over me! It brings to mind the wonderful ** Psalm 23, which puts the hope back in ones heart, don’t you think, ‘cos He knows where He’s leading us, and how to take us through those dark, dangerous places and bring us into good pastures where our souls get restored.
Now don’t Ewes all be sheepish okay? J . . For the shear peace of it, you go curl up on Shepherd Jesus’ lap tonight and let Him splash His awesome love all over you as you read these two terrific Chapters!
Bleating joyfully in HIS Sheepfold!
Love and hugs to you,
Rose