THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

September 16, 2020

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

My nephew and his wife adopted two two-year olds, who are four months apart in age. They brought the little girl home when she was a couple weeks old, and I started babysitting her when she was only twenty days old. They got the little boy two weeks before his 1^st birthday, and I immediately started babysitting him at that time.

Both are now active toddlers. They walk, can feed themselves, climb, play, and are starting to talk. These skills make watching them much easier than what it was when they both required much more care.

Yet, they are still are very dependent upon me and need me. They also have full trust in me and don't worry whether or not their needs will be met. They don't question whether or not I will feed them when they are hungry, give them something to drink when they are thirsty, change their diapers when they are wet or poopy, lift them in and out of their cribs in the mornings and at nap time, pick them up when they ask, let them sit on my lap and hold them when they want cuddling or need comfort, hold their hands and watch over them when they go up and down the stairs, kiss their boo-boos, and whatever else it may be that they have need of. Part of that care, also, involves me teaching them what they can and can't do and sitting them in time out when they are naughty.

These babies feel safe and protected and well cared for. They don't know to question whether or not they will receive care or have their needs met, but believe that when they need something, someone is going to respond. They have full faith in knowing that those who love them will care for them; and know that all they have to do is ask or grunt or point or communicate what they have need of and it will be provided for them.

In Matthew chapter 18, the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Jesus called a child to Himself and set him in the midst of them. He said, "Unless you turn and become like children, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever then shall humble himself like this child, this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in My name, welcomes me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who trust in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and be sunk in the depth of the sea."

Later in chapter 19, people were bringing their little children to Jesus so that He might lay hands upon them and pray. His disciples rebuked those who brought them. Had they already forgotten what Jesus had just told them prior to this about the importance of becoming as a little child? Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Then in chapter 21, the blind and lame were coming to Jesus in the Temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and teachers of the religious law saw the miracles He performed, and the children crying out in the Temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became indignant. Those leaders asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus replied, "Yes. Haven't you ever read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing toddlers You have prepared praise for Yourself.'" (Another version reads, "You have taught children and infants to give You praise.")

Look at the theme of these scriptures and the correlation between them. In all of them, Jesus spoke about the importance of being as little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven; that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those with this type of faith; and that we are to praise as children. We are to have that same complete trust and expectation of our Father meeting our needs and taking care of us, as a child does in those who take care of them on earth.

We are to have that full assurance and faith that we can rest, without worry or fear, in knowing that our Father will take good care of us; therefore, we come to Him with expectation. We should choose to not fret about our needs being met or any other thing, because God loves us and is always with us and watching over us.

Over and over again we are told in scripture not to fear, not to worry, not to fret, to not be anxious, that God is our provider, that He knows every intimate detail about us and knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb. We are precious to Him; even more so than we can comprehend or understand.

Be encouraged and reminded today that you are greatly loved by God, and He is the very best caregiver imaginable. When you feel tempted to worry or fear or complain or question or doubt, remind yourself of that childlike trust and faith that a child has in the one who is taking care of them; then do likewise with your Father. Just simply rest in His care and protection.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Even just a few months ago, when the two babies wanted something, their parents and babysitters could usually guess what they needed, and give that to them. Now, they can speak, and explain what it is they need or want. Many times, when they start grunting or whining, someone will tell them, "Use your words. Tell us what you want." They will do that, even if they know exactly what the toddler wants. They especially do it when all they do is point and whine.

This is a good exercise, and important to growing up. The toddlers need to get practice using words, and expressing themselves. Later, if they are sick, it will help when they can say it's their belly or throat that hurts. And eventually, they may be able to express more complicated desires, like wanting a particular toy they don't see, or wanting to invite someone to their birthday party. They can begin to have a dialogue.

God knows what we need, even better than we ever could. He also knows what we want. Even though we sometimes don't know the difference ourselves. As new christians, God often responds to our needs before we even know them. As we mature, He seems to want us to speak up, and tell Him our hopes, needs, and desires. He wants us to express them as more than just grunts and whines. He wants to hear from us. With practice, we can learn to speak to Him and even hear Him. We can have that dialogue.

ON THE MENEWE:

Chicken Breast Casserole

Wrap one piece of bacon around each piece of chicken. Place each piece in casserole dish. Mix sour cream and mushroom soup with a small amount of milk. Pour over the chicken. Do not salt. Cook uncovered in 300 oven for

2-1/2 hours.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My mom was pretty laid back and easy going for the most part. I wish I were more like that!

One of my older cousins once me a story about something that occurred back when she and her brothers stayed with my grandparents for a few months when they were kids. She and my mom were close to the same age.

One night everyone had gone to bed for the night. The kids were spread out on pallets in the living room. Poppy (what everyone in the family called my grandfather) started complaining that he didn't have enough heading (meaning pillows). Finally Mama spoke up and said, "Poppy, do you want me to get up and get you more heading?" He replied, "Well, maybe dreckly (word meaning in a little while)."

Apparently, my mom had listened to him complaining long enough and was getting fed up. She was probably also thinking that he'd probably wait until she was almost asleep, then want her to get up to find him more pillows.

Mama told him, "If you want me to get up and get you more heading tell me now; otherwise, I'm going to sleep!"

She didn't get upset very often and my cousin said all the kids got tickled and started giggling. Poppy finally saw the humor in it and started laughing.

It's funny sometimes the stories that will stick out in our minds and that we'll remember. This probably happened over 75 years ago!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

It is one thing to be able to quote a scripture. It is an entirely different thing to live it out. - Christine Caine

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org