How Mary must have felt

Mary knew. When no one else really knew. Mary did. Perhaps she overheard the neighbors whisper. The gossip down by the well as she drew the water. She knew the child she carried was indeed the Christ child. Even after the angel visited with Joseph, he may have had doubts, but not Mary.

I remember finding out that I was pregnant with Tim. How my life changed. I gave up caffeine and sugar. I made a promise to eat more vegetables, and less fried foods. I told myself now that I had to take extra special care of myself because now I was a vessel in which another human was growing. A helpless baby. I did everything the doctor told me to do. How much more responsible Mary must have felt. Maybe she didn’t bound down the stairs like she normally would, or perhaps she didn’t lug that big jug of water as she did every day without help. Because she knew. Not only was she carrying a helpless baby, but this was the Christ! This was the salvation of the world – the King! How overwhelmed she must have felt. As her belly swelled and the Child kicked for the first time I wonder, did it make it even more real to her, as it did to us? As I think of my own pregnancy and the thought of how young I was and the thought of carrying and taking care of a child almost made me hyper-ventilate, could you imagine the overwhelming thought of carrying the Christ!? I wonder if maybe she lay awake at night with her arms cradling her belly – praying over her child, whispering promises in the dark.

And that long donkey ride. Could some of her questions have been, “what happens now?” “Will this ride hurt the baby?” The faith it must have taken. She must have thought “This is the Messiah, so everything has to work out ok. – right?” Then those devastating words “there is no room at the inn.” What now? What about the women who usually help with deliveries? Panic may have seized her mind with the thought of “What will I do? There really isn’t time” How heartbroken Mary must have felt right then. And then to walk into the barn – the delivery room, the King’s first nursery.

How sanitary we’ve made it. To look at today’s Nativities they look so….. well clean. I’ve shoveled barns before. I know what they smell like. There is no sweet smell of hay inside a dirty barn. There is the smell of dung, and of urine and of animal. There is no evidence that Joseph had time to even lay down a fresh layer of hay for Mary to lie on. So she gave birth in the most unsanitary of conditions.

Maybe in-between contractions she thought of all the promises she made to her child, to God. How she had promised to take care of Him, and bind up his boo-boos, protect him from those who would hurt him, or who would make fun of him.

Finally his birth was here. Just she, Joseph and the animals were there to welcome the King into the stench of our world.

His first cry was in a filthy barn. His first robe was rags. Do you think maybe as Mary pulled him to her breast to nurse that she whispered to him, “I wanted to give you so much more?” and as a tear splashed down on his face, did she feel like a failure of a mom. “I mean it’s only been 20 minutes and so far my track record isn’t so good.” Did she whisper to God “have I missed you somewhere; I mean this is the King, the Messiah, this is Your Child?”

Do you think 33 years later when His blood splashed upon her cheek at the foot of the cross that those words and promises came back to her?

How sanitary we’ve made His birth, our lives. How we forget that by not being born in a Palace he does not pull us up to where he is, but by being born in the muck and the mire, the dirt and the stench, among urine and dung, he came down to where we are so that we don’t have to reach up to grasp Him, we merely have to reach out and He’s there.

This Christmas let’s not sanitize and “make pretty” the conditions our Savior was born in. Let’s be real about not only His birth, but His death. Let’s strip away the cleanliness of how we visualize his birth and his death, so we can strip away the dust off our own sin and begin by being real with Him. And if we are real about his birth and death we can begin to be real about who are and how much we are in need of Him. We will actually admit that we are spiritually poverty stricken without Him. Every day and every way. Scripture says that the Shepherds made known the statements told to them, but Mary pondered them in her heart. She gathered up all of the emotions, all of the incidents – from the angel’s announcement, to the very smell of the delivery room. She grabbed each memory as costly jewels, storing them in a treasure box that had been inscribed on her heart forever. In the coming year, let apathy not be a part of our lives, but let our passion for Him be forever burning strong.

Forever worshipping At His Feet

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What a Time We’ve Had!

 

 

 

Well I’ve held off on writing this particular blog for a few weeks now. I’ve just wanted to settle in my mind and heart what exactly I wanted to say. Those that know me know I’m a talker and a lot of times I say lots of things without saying really too much of anything. Sometimes though wisdom will shine through and something will pop out that just makes sense. I hope today is one of those days

Bruce and I are moving to St. Louis. Now when he came home and told me he had put in for a job with the Coast Guard…well I got excited. The word Coast, translated in Missyeze screamed BEACH! But when he said it was in Missouri….well let’s just say the excitement waned quite a bit. It even took a day or so for me to even mention it in prayer.  In my mind a new adventure was warmer climate, I don’t know maybe South FL, or even South Texas.  I was even up for a tropical island of some sort… SOMEWHERE WARMER!!

But let me tell you how this whole thing got started…..

When Bruce and I stepped down from ministry about a year ago, we both felt like this time, this chapter was coming to a close. We both – through prayer—felt like what we had been sent here to do had been accomplished. There were some things that were shown to us that really just affirmed that, so Bruce began putting in for other jobs in other regions. He put in for jobs in areas he knew that I would like such as Orlando and San Antonio; you know southern regions. But God CLEARLY said “NO” to those areas. I’m not sure what God has against San Antonio….

So after a while of not getting “any bites” on jobs, we had settled it in our hearts that if God wanted us to stay we were fine with that decision, but asked that He make it clear what to do and where to go. We definitely do not want to walk out of the will of God. Then Bruce gets a call for St. Louis. One that wasn’t on my radar. The interview was written for him. The job was written for Bruce’s best skill set. He’s a remarkable man with remarkable qualities, and this job seemed to fit exactly his best qualities. First interview went amazing. The second better than the first. He seemed to really hit it off with the commander so it didn’t surprise me at all when the offer came in.

So that is where this began. In prayer over a year ago. Since many people did not know this was a point of our prayer, it came as a surprise to many. Now this is where moving gets tough. We have no blood family in this area. Bruce nor I are from here. Our children have grown and moved to different states. We do, however, have friends here that have become our family. Those are the ones I try not to think about as another box gets packed. Those are the ones that are forever imprinted on my heart. They are the ones who have help mold me to who I am. They are the ones who I have taught and mentored. They are the unseen prayer warriors that never let a day go by without lifting us up in prayer. The ones who love me no matter what. They are the ones I’ve walked side-by-side with in ministry – the good side and the bad side. They are the ones that I have walked through the valley with, held their hand and cried with. The ones who are most likely crying right now. My heart has been forever changed by some great people. But now because my journey with God isn’t over….I must move on.

For whatever reason God chose St. Louis (still not sure why He chose there)….that is where I’m headed. What I do know that whatever the reason – and there is a reason – He has a plan for us. We are stepping out completely on faith, knowing that the next step will be there.

While I am completely undone with the thought of leaving behind all I’ve known for 20 years and most of all, all the people I have loved for a good part of those years, my heart is kind of excited for a new venture with Him. Because of all the things I’ve wanted and all the things I’ve done – I want the Father more than anything and I’m willing to follow Him anywhere – even to the frozen tundra. Knowing that the people I love will always be there…those friends who have become family will always be family. They will always hold a piece of my heart.

Sheri Richardson – I know you are reading this. I know this because you always read my nonsense.  You encourage me when I don’t see anything in me to encourage.  You are my number one cheerleader!   You my sister will ALWAYS be my sister. Our beach trips won’t change in the sense of going…but will be ever more special. You my friend is the hardest one to leave even if you don’t think so. You have touched my life in ways unspoken. The bond between us will never be broken. (Did you notice that little rhyme there?? Did that just for you! It’s a crying shame I can’t think of another line) I simply cannot put into words how I feel….

There are numerous people that I love in this area and that I may not get to say “good-bye” to. If you are one of them, know that I love you with all my heart.

What a time we’ve had here. The people we’ve met, the places we’ve been, the times we’ve shared. How grateful we are that God brought us here and our paths have crossed. How grateful we are for the times we’ve spent with the people we’ve met. …even if it were for a minute, and hour, or years….we are grateful for every moment of it! We both have grown and changed and been molded in this very place closer to the image of God. And it’s because of you! Huntsville will most likely always be home. I can’t say that for sure since I don’t have the mind of God and I know His word says in James ¹³ Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” ¹⁴ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. ¹⁵ What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

That my friends is what I believe we are doing….simply following Him. With my heart attached to Christ’s I go…knowing that I will see you again.

With tears in my eyes, and gratitude in my heart….

I just want to be found
Sitting in obedience at His Feet.

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National Lampoon presents “New Adventures of Old Missy and Sheri’s Beach Trip”

Each year Sheri and I go on a beach vacation. Since neither of our husbands enjoys the beach, we go together and do what girls do on the beach – just lay there. We begin counting down for next year, usually on the way back. We look forward to this time of year and can hardly wait to get down there. This was our 7^th year. There is something to be said about traditions; I’m just not sure what it is. Maybe on the 7^th year, you should change all traditions….

 

This year began almost as the others, just more events prior – which should have told us something. Sheri lost her house in a tornado and lived in a hotel for 3 ½ months. I had minor surgery 10 prior to leaving. We were looking even more forward to this trip than before.

Day came to leave and we were giddy with excitement. We got down there and checked into our condo. Ahhh at last we were back on “our beach”. We got all of our supplies and set up for our next day on the beach. One full week of nothing but sun, rest, sand and salt. Even the hurricane that once threatened out good weather was veering around us leaving us with nothing less than perfect weather!

 

Day one on the beach was incredible. The water was so warm and very little movement. It was pool-like and relaxing. The dolphins were even playing a little ways out straight out from us. They stayed all day just teasing us with their beauty. What a beautiful day. We crawled in at the end of the day satisfied with the start of our vacation.

Later that evening, Sheri’s sunburn became evident, and my surgical incisions were oozing. You know it’s hard to look good with oozing wounds!

Day two we just adjusted our sails just a bit. We covered Sheri with extra sunblock, stuck her under the umbrella and decided we wouldn’t stay as long. So out to the beach we went. Oozing and sunburnt. Day two was happening as we planned. When we came in, Sheri looked at the oozing and out came the second mention of staph – she mentioned on the way down that the fact they were swelled and red that they looked infected. But nothing was going to sway me! Bruce called me and when I mentioned they were oozing, well let’s just say his protective knight in shining armor appeared and the strong suggestion I visit a doc-in-the-box came through loud and clear over the phone. Now understand I love this part of Bruce – just not when beach time is in play. But, we weren’t going back to the beach that afternoon since Sheri was so crisp, so we went. At first glance they said yep staph and put me on antibiotics. Because I am not a doctor nor do I play one on the web, I was satisfied with the diagnosis. I think I’m the only one though.

Monday we decided to try the beach again! Sheri loaded up on sunblock; I-- still oozing some went back. We decided that we would only stay a couple of hours since the sun even under an umbrella caused Sheri pain. So again sails were adjusted. We laughed and shopped. What else can a girl do at the beach if she can’t hit the salt and sand??

Tuesday morning we were up and Bruce had called once again. His concern was that the doc in the box wasn’t actually a doctor, and that I should go to the ER. Let me remind you that he isn’t either, but for some reason I listened to him, probably because I knew he would call again and he did say he played one on the web. He told me all the horror stories of MRSA – surgical staph. Doctor Sheri concurred. Now I’m outnumbered. My sails were trying to adjust quickly to the annoyance of having to go to the ER. I don’t know maybe it wasn’t as much annoyance to the ER or the threat of hospitalization in the slight case that I was wrong.

Tuesday afternoon we found the ER – they seemed to be expecting us, since Bruce had already called down and told them what was going on and asked if I should go in. OF COURSE they said yes, to which Bruce called me to let me know that they even thought I should go. He may have called others for opinions, but I’m not sure. A really nice Nurse Practitioner came in. She had 4 grandchildren who had just moved back in with her with their mom – her daughter. Apparently, her husband of 18 months wasn’t happy about that so she kicked him out. Divorcing him and never remarrying again. How can I get all that information, but still have no clue what her name is?? She looked at my arm in both places and decided that yes it should be reopened, drained and packed. Reopened in my mind didn’t involve cutting – I probably should look at more webdoc pages or something. Something to be said about playing a doctor on the web I guess. Somewhere in all of her speaking I missed the statement….this area doesn’t deaden well. How did I miss that?

Laying in the ER, trying not to scream as if I were having a child is not easy while the NP has a sharp object in her hand. Watching Sheri’s face was even more disturbing. I was a little concerned she may pass out. The NP decided that my arm was the perfect show-n-tell project for Sheri. Sticking one of those 6 inch Qtips in the now open without anesthesia or even Novocain deadened area she told Sheri “look at all these pus pockets!” She seemed a little too excited about it if you asked me. I’m just thankful she didn’t call others in to see as well. She drained all the “stuff” and then feeling a little like a Build a Bear she began stuffing me. That was also somewhat uncomfortable. I don’t know perhaps it was because I was still throbbing from being cut open. Then in all her excitement she moved to the elbow. Taking out stitches that apparently did not work, she proceeded to begin her procedure all over. This time though she didn’t invite Sheri to look. Perhaps it was the look Sheri shot her the first time. She took cultures to see what kind of staph I had – probably to keep Bruce from calling again. Before she left the room she did deliver the worst news – No more water for you! I think she even laughed an evil little laugh as she left. Did she KNOW I was at the beach! Isn’t medical science far enough advanced that these wounds could be in water without water touching the wounds?

Leaving the ER I looked like a WWII soldier coming home from war. Completely unattractive! I fought the urge to tell people when they looked down at the bandages that sharks don’t always eat--sometimes they just taste! At least that stuck with the beachy theme.

Well we’re at the beach with no more beach time. So sails adjusted we went on a dolphin cruise. We took the opportunity to ride a boat and see some dolphins in their habitat and feed the sea gulls following the boat. It was something that we always had planned but never pulled ourselves off the beach to take advantage of it. That was a lot of fun for us. We ate at places we haven’t eaten at before as well.

So the next day we had to decide what to do. We were keeping a good attitude and making the most of it, but I think we both had had enough shopping and land stuff. We had one more thing we wanted to do, but after that…..

The next day Sheri’s lips took on an Angelina Jolie look and I was bandaged up. We were really a sore sight for the eyes. So Botox gone bad Sheri and War wounded Missy made our way to the Gulfarium.




Something else we always talked about but never did. I think we’ve seen every dolphin – in captivity or not that Ft. Walton/Destin has to offer, and still can’t
get enough of them.

Thursday rolled around and another trip to the ER. This time to get out the stuffing they had put in and results. No MRSA – just the regular kind. We decided that we would just make our way home after that since we couldn’t go to the beach and had shopped all we could shop, met every dolphin and seen all the shows. We had conquered all land fun in the few days so we don’t have to worry about that for another 7 years. All we needed on this trip was Chevy Chase to make it a true National Lampoon’s vacation. Upon arrival I had to sign a paper saying I wouldn’t jump from the balcony to the pool – next year I may not sign that paper!

Josh, my son did suggest that next year we just have a picnic, which if next year begins like this one, I may take that suggestion.

Good news is Sheri got most of her house decorated thanks to the outlet stores, and I experienced Carter’s as a Nana. Economy is now booming in Destin. They can thank us later!

Yes, we are counting down the days until we return. Next year we are taking our own personal nurse with us and extra sunblock. If surgeries are mentioned, they will wait until after the beach. Only 357 more days until we lay on the beach! Our chairs await us…



Until then sitting safely at His Feet,

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I’m Going to be a Nana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 18, 2011 I found out that I was going to be a Nana! Our son Josh and his beautiful wife Caitlin are pregnant. To tell us, they sent us a card from "Baby". That afternoon Josh called and asked if I had checked the mail, told me to go check it since he had sent me something. Obediently I walked to the mailbox to see a yellow envelope.  Inside was a card.  When I read the front it said "Get ready to love, laugh and play." At that moment it didn't really sink in. I opened the card and handwritten inside were the words "Dear Nana/Papa" More handwriting which I didn't read immediately and "Love, Baby". Those words I read and I tell you I just had a fit right there at the mailbox. I'm sure my neighbors thought I may be having some kind of medical issues or even a psychotic break. That moment is frozen in my mind and heart and will be for the rest of my life. I tell you I ran back to the house. I usually don't run ANYWHERE!   By the time I reached the house Josh was calling. I am not sure what I said but I will tell you what I felt. That day my life had be forever changed. I'm no longer just a mom...I'm a NANA! 

I cannot wait to hold this precious gift from God in my arms. To read Scripture to him/her, although I'm sure mommy and daddy will beat me to that. I can't wait to look into the eyes of a great gift and speak the love of God over him/her. To make sure this child grows up knowing how much Jesus loves him/her. And how much Nana does. How long I have prayed for him/her. How I've carried the thought of a grandbaby to the Father and asked His favor. To share just how he/she is fearfully and wonderfully made. I can't wait to dance in the living room with him/her to our favorite praise music. I can't wait to break out the glue and glitter and make mommy and daddy homemade cards. To play with play dough and even taste it if so inclined. I can't wait to run in a field of wildflowers so we can pick mommy some that are so special. To rock him/her to sleep in the same chair that I rocked his/her dad and uncle. I can't wait to breathe in the smell that only a baby smells like after a bath. To snuggle up on a cold day and drink homemade hot chocolate and read stories. To listen to the tales of a child. To steal kisses from the nap of that tiny neck where the sweetest kisses live and only a Nana can appreciate. I can't wait to dig in the dirt with him/her. I never have really liked worms, but I'm pretty sure Nana will handle her share of them. Frogs....let's catch them! I can't wait to grab the salt and a flashlight to slug hunt. To run through the sprinkler and lay under the stars. I can't wait to be a Nana. I have plans for this little one. To celebrate everyday as a true gift from God with him/her. To make everyday a red plate day! 

Yes my life has entered a new season. I would even to venture out and say there are homemade cookies in store for this precious one. Cookies made with tiny hands, while standing on a kitchen chair. I cannot wait to go to Carters! To see the look of enchantment at Christmas and listen to the true reason of Christmas through the eyes of a child.  To see him/her sitting in Papa's lap. I can’t wait to decorate my refrigerator with award winning stick-figure art. To sing silly songs! To hear that phone call that says “I’m coming to visit you, Nana!” To watch the eyes of innocent take in the world around them. To go fishing and ballgames and recitals and plays. To wear the tee shirts that read...."I'm ____________Nana". 

I can’t wait to hear about when the first tooth came out, or his/her first heartbreak. I can’t wait to see the man/woman he/she grows up to be . The things that God has in store for this sweet child. 

That day my life was forever changed.  I'm going to be a Nana! Yes! I WILL be that Nana that stops strangers in the street to show them the pictures of My Grandbaby! I will be that Nana that is entertained by all they do, claiming this is the most perfect child ever -- I'm that kind of Nana!

 

 

 

 

 

Sitting with breathless anticipation At His Feet forever thanking Him for this child!

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Got Mud?

 






As I have said, I’ve always had a pet of some kind. When we decided to get a new dog, we searched different breeds. We looked at their temperaments, what their needs would be, the time they would require from us. And when we settled on one, we settled on Golden Retrievers. We already had a golden before so we thought for what we were looking for this breed would be a fit for us.

Then we set out on looking for a good reputable breeder and we found a gem! We paid our deposit and received pictures of our new baby. I was so excited when it was time to pick her up. We picked up our Stella and I was immediately in love with her. She had coal black eyes that looked like liquid pools of love. It was a match. She promptly planted a big wet kiss on my face and I was in heaven.

Stella is a brilliant dog – one full of love and life. Now while in my mind Stella was near perfect there was one thing that she loved almost as much as me and that was MUD!! Her mother loved mud and her grandmother loved mud. I’m pretty sure if we traced back to the beginning we would see lots of mud in the line. She not only loved mud she loved to roll in the mud, dig in the mud, root in the mud. Good thing she loved water and baths equally as mud. I found bath time for Stella was almost a daily routine. I hated to see rain because I knew the moment she went out she would dig to find – you guessed it MUD! She didn’t only find existing mud she would work rather hard to create the environment so mud would appear when it rained. Then her joy began. You could call her and her obedient nature would come running, but the disobedient nature in her would take in one last roll before doing so.



                                                               


I had her on lead one day walking her to the kennels. She had been clean for 4 whole days – a new record in our home! So I gently explained on the way to the kennels that she was a show dog. She was better than mud. She shouldn’t lay in mud, roll in mud, root in mud or even go near mud. She wasn’t created for mud she was created for far better things. “You Stella are a Show Dog – created for better things”.

But aren’t we created for far better things as well? Sometimes we forget whose we are – who we belong to and we search for mud. Sometimes we work rather hard to even create the environment to make mud to lie in. We like to lay in mud, roll around in it and root through it.

 

 

God is so gracious to clean the mud off us. He gently takes His holy scrub brush and cleanses us from all mud. He continually forgives us for our mud behavior. But shouldn’t we strive for less mud in our lives?

Children of God were created to do better things than to lay in the mud of the world. Have we so quickly forgotten the price that was paid so we could wear His robe of righteousness and claim our identities in Him? Have we forgotten that we are:

• Fearfully and wonderfully made 
  Psalm 139:14 (NASB95)
  ¹⁴ I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Approved by Him

2Corinthians 13:7 (NASB95)
7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NASB95)
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

The apple of His eye

Zechariah 2:8 (NASB95)
⁸ For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.

Deuteronomy 32:10 (NASB95)
¹⁰ “He found him in a desert land, And in the howling waste of a wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.

 

His Treasure

Deuteronomy 14:2 (NKJV)
² For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the  Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Not condemned 
Romans 8:1 (NASB95)
¹ Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The aroma of Christ
2 Corinthians 2:15 (NASB95)
¹⁵ For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

  Redeemed 

Luke 1:68 (NASB95)
⁶⁸ “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
  Ephesians 1:7 (NASB95)
⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Romans 3:24–25 (NASB95)
²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

  …and the list can go on.

As Stella has matured, she is less enamored by mud. Perhaps she has finally outgrown mud. Perhaps she has seen that it is less productive to her daily routine. I take that lead from her as well. As time passes, the world’s mud attraction has grown less and less in my life. Perhaps I’ve grown up a bit, learned His word, understood whose I am and claimed my identity in Him. Yes as I walk past the world’s mud I have less inclination to walk through it. Less rooting and laying, yet knowing that if I fall into it He is faithful to cleanse me from it – again. (1 John 1:9) I too am less enamored by the world.

Just sitting at His Feet….

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An example of a goat, a lesson from the Shepherd

I have always loved animals. As far back as I can remember I have had some kind of pet(s). I was the little girl dragging someone’s poor dog home thinking it must be a stray. I can remember a time when we had so many dogs and cats along with a pony, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs; that finally my mom said no more and put a limit on how many could live there.

 

That really didn’t go away in time. I grew up but as long as Bruce and I have been married – there has always been some kind of pet(s). But so often I learn great things from them. And sometimes I hear God speak to me through their actions. Some of the most memorable lessons have come from a variety of animals.

 

Many years ago I had the privilege to raise dairy goats. I’m not sure if I began with a true purpose other than I just love goats. I always have love their immense curiosity and the fact that they would give milk – well that was just a bonus. Keep in mind I had never raised goats before and wasn’t real sure what to do when I got them. I read everything available on the subject and visited several surrounding farms.

The decision was made on the breed of goat. I chose Nubians. I don’t know if it was because I liked the look or the goat or because they are so vocal and so am I. It’s been said that a Nubian always sounds like it is complaining about something. I always thought they just had a lot to say and said it loudly.

I found two baby does and purchased them. Sadie and Katie and I were big buddies from the beginning. Sadie had the most tender heart and Katie, well she was a true goat but really the most beautiful. They trusted and loved me completely. Now they liked Bruce but they loved me.

I learned the difference between a hireling and a true shepherd. A hireling is there for the money. They don’t care about the animal itself, they take care of the needs of the animal just so they can get paid. A shepherd he cares for and protects the flock. He leads the flocks to eat and drink. He looks for the strays. He loves the animal, cares about the breed.

Goats seem to understand the difference as well. When they saw my husband coming they would bleat softly, but when they saw me….they sounded as if someone were killing them. They would run up to me just for me to touch them.

At night I would lock in them in a stall to protect them from coyotes and other predators. In the morning when I would go to the barn they would try to kick the door down. At first we thought it was just because they wanted out, so when Bruce would go with me he would say “Morning Glories” (our goat greeting to them) and they would bleat ever so sadly, but if I said right after him “Morning Glories” you could hear them scramble to their feet and begin butting the door. When I would open the door they would come to me just to feel my touch.

Upon seeing this, the Lord quickened my heart and I heard “why don’t you kick the door as excitedly when I call upon you?” Ouch.

The Great Shepherd Himself takes time out to touch me or talk with me and I am not nearly as excited as the goats were that day. I looked deep within and changed that –rather quickly I might add.

That certainly changed the way I walked with Him. When He calls my name rather than running afraid He wants me to do something, or ignoring Him because He is correcting me – I kick the door down unable to wait to get to Him. Just for His touch. Just because He wants me. Just because He loves me. Just because.

The Great Shepherd Himself loves us so much. He wants a personal, intimate relationship with us. He is the Guardian of my soul.

1 Peter 2:25 (NASB95)

²⁵ For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

 

What about you?  When He calls your name how do you respond?  Are we as the Body of Christ kicking the door to get to Him?  Today how quickly will you open that door to get to Him for a touch, or a word, or just to sit with Him awhile?

An example of a goat, a lesson from the Shepherd. Many lessons were taught to me. Sometimes we have to see a visual to really understand what He may want from us and for us. I understood that lesson to its fullest.

Isaiah 40:11–12 (NASB95)

¹¹ Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. ¹² Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales?

There have been others – from other animals. Perhaps this week I’ll talk more on the lessons from the barn.

Until then….

Just sitting at His Feet,

 

 

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Shy Girl

Once upon a time there was a young girl named Shy Girl. Shy Girl grew up feeling a little unwanted and very much unaccepted. Perhaps she would not have been named Shy Girl if she had the right kind of clothes. She felt very sure everyone could see her tattered attire. She wore a threadbare jacket of inadequacy, the ripped jeans of low self-esteem and the hole-filled shoes of unworthiness and no self-confidence. She walked everyday through the Valley of Fear to her home located on the Hill of Unacceptance. Sometimes she would wander through the towns of Approval Seeking and People Pleasing, but it was exhausting taking that route because the residents often pointed at her and made comments about her clothing. Shy Girl made a few friends along the way and secretly hoped that Prince Charming would come and sweep her off her feet.

Prince Charming did indeed come and indeed he swept Shy Girl off her feet. Oh she thought, now we can live happily ever after. There were bumps and babies along the way, but for the most part it was happily ever after. But then one day Prince Charming changed. He desired to read and study and go to church. Shy Girl didn’t. She was comfortable in their life together. So instead she put on another coat, the coat of loneliness. Her Prince Charming – her only friend, found a new place of comfort, with new friends and he now spoke a new language. Prince Charming’s new friends tried to show Shy Girl how she could be one of them, but her clothing held her back. She did not really like the new people and truth be told they frightened her. Maybe it was because feeling the dirt through her hole-filled shoes of unworthiness reminded her daily of who she really was.
One day Shy Girl met a priest named Much Fun. Her name fit her well because Shy Girl always had much fun when she was around. One day Much Fun asked Shy Girl the dreaded question – Do you want to go to church? Couldn’t Much Fun see her clothes? Didn’t she understand she had nothing to wear – nothing to give? Shy Girl quickly said no and Much Fun then asked if she would like to go shopping another day. Much Fun was quickly becoming much weird, but Shy Girl agreed and soon she and Much Fun were good friends. Much Fun loved Shy Girl just as she was and did not try to get her to change her clothes. She loved Shy Girl so much that when she invited her to church again, Shy Girl agreed to go. Shy Girl felt loved among the people there. So much so that when The Great High Priest knocked at the door of her heart she not only opened the door, but Shy Girl fell deeply head over heels in love with The Great High Priest.
Change was once again on the horizon. The Great High Priest beckoned Shy Girl to wear His robe of righteousness. She knew the robe really would look better if she didn’t have on her tattered clothes, but she could not bear to remove them. They were well worn and very comfortable. Sometime later, Shy Girl sensed something inside stirring and felt change was once again coming. She met another priest who saw her clothes and commented on them. Shy Girl was taken aback by the boldness of this priest called Truth Giver. Shy Girl and Truth Giver became friends, although sometimes Truth – Giver annoyed Shy Girl with all her truth talk.
One day, Truth Giver introduced Shy Girl to yet another priest called Wisdom. Wisdom had soft love filled words and blue eyes that danced when she laughed. Her silver hair shone around her like a bright light. 
Shy Girl felt that she could trust Wisdom with all her hurt and pain. Wisdom walked with Shy Girl through the Valley of Fear. When she walked through the towns of Approval Seeking and People Pleasing with Wisdom, no one pointed at her nor did they seem to notice her clothing. Wisdom showed her the path of Confidence and gave her courage to get on the train of Self Esteem. Wisdom taught Shy Girl the words and desires of The Great High Priest and helped her to understand them.
Soon her clothes became binding and scratched at her skin. She no longer felt comfortable in them, for they were now outgrown. Wisdom helped her remove her old clothing and encouraged her when she decided to only wear the robe The Great High Priest had given her so long ago. She helped Shy Girl change her name too. She was no longer that shy girl who lived on the hill of Unacceptance.
She had moved to the mountain of Abundant Love and Grace and her new name was the Approved Daughter of the Most High God.
  

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