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

April 28, 2021

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

There is something quite special about spending time with old friends. Sometimes there are those individuals that we bond with and become friends. Time may pass where we don't get to see one another or spend time together very often; but when we do, we are able to take up where we left off. Time and distance can't break the bond of those type of special friendships.

Back around 1987-88, I was a quiet, shy young lady in her early twenties. In many ways I lacked self-confidence and felt very insecure. It was during that time period that I interviewed for a bookkeeping position in a small hometown bank, and was surprisingly hired. From then until the spring of 2003, I worked my way up from that position to becoming supervisor over the bookkeeping department and the tellers. I also did account payables for the bank. During my employment at this bank, management saw potential in me and I became more outgoing and confident in the knowledge I had learned and was put in leadership positions.

The one lady who I credit for my success is someone who became one of my best friends during my employment there. She was my boss during my entire time at that bank. She saw my potential and skills and honed those, pushing me to do better and take on more and more responsibilities; even when I didn't think I was capable. We took three trips together during my years there; one for pleasure and two for training. We shared many laughs, went through personal heartbreaks, and were there to encourage and support throughout all of lives many ups and downs.

I left the bank in 2003 and moved to Oklahoma. Since that time we've had little opportunity to see one another, but we have kept in touch. We email multiple times each week and know that if need be, we could count on the other one to be there for us whatever the circumstance. We have seen one another a few times, but not as often as we would like.

Over the years we've said that we need to get together, but then never set a date to do so. We'd become busy and lots of time would go by without us ever taking the time to get together. My friend had another friend that she had known since childhood (whom I never met), and her friend recently passed away. It made my friend aware how important it is to get together with those whom you cherish; and she made a choice that we needed to not just talk about it, but make it happen.

My friend lives in Missouri and I live in Oklahoma; so this past weekend we met halfway on Saturday morning and spent the weekend together. We didn't have an agenda and didn't make any plans for entertainment. We just spent hours and hours talking and visiting and catching up on each other's lives. It was nice being able to spend quality, uninterrupted time together.

Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man with many friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

John 15:12-17 says, "This is My commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I am no longer calling you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. Now I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I selected you so that you would go and produce fruit, and your fruit would remain. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. These things I command you, so that you may love one another."

I have many people whom I consider close friends in my life. My husband, my sisters, relatives, in-laws, and those whom God has brought in my path from childhood through adulthood. As much as I cherish all these people, how much more I cherish my friendship with Jesus!

Think about how amazing it is that Jesus loves us! He loves us so much, that He was willing to lay His life down for us.... willing to die on our behalf. We aren't servants that He orders around; but everything that the Father speaks to Him, He shares with us. We are chosen by Jesus! He selected us to be His friends!! He delights in us being His friends.

We aren't just to cherish the love that Jesus has for us and keep that secret and be selfish with it. But His command is for us to love each other, just as He loves us. I believe that He takes delight in our friendships with others, for in doing so, we are loving one another. Those are the people who are easy to love!

But we are not to only delight in our friendships with those people who are very special to us; but we are to love everyone, just as He loves us. Just as Jesus loves us regardless of our flaws, we are commanded to love one another. That is not quite so easy to do at times; and those are the ones whom we have to often work at to consistently love. We aren't going to share a strong bond of friendship with everyone. Personalities will clash, people have different interests with little in common, and for various reasons some people are just difficult to love. We aren't commanded to be friends with everyone; just to love each other, as Jesus loves us. I'm still working on this one, and am not always successful at loving those who are difficult or who rub me the wrong way. Let's all work on this together!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

When friends spend enough time together, they get to know how the other feels. They can tell if the other is unhappy, upset, or in pain, or whatever their state might be. It might help to talk about it, but they can tell even without words.

Jesus is a friend like that. He knows us more deeply than any other friend, and knows what we feel, and even why. Sometimes before we really understand it ourselves. Jesus is much more than just a friend. He is our groom. Not in the same sense as earthly marriage, but in the sense that He can't wait to spend eternity with us, and knows us more deeply than any mere friend would.

That could be a little intimidating. At first, we might want to keep a few secrets to ourselves. We may want Jesus to keep a distance at certain parties or other events. We might want Him to wait at the door when we go in a few places. But that's what an engagement is for. Over time, we get more acquainted, and more comfortable together. In time, our relationship grows past just friendship to a marriage type relationship where we want Him by our side everywhere we go, and in every conversation, and to meet every friend we have.

That's the kind of relationship He wants with us. And it is where we can get the most comfort and peace in our lives, too.

ON THE MENEWE:

Pork Chops and Stuffing

Roll pork chops in flour to coat. Heat a little butter and olive oil in a skillet; brown pork chops on both sides.

Place pork chops in crockpot. Cover the top of the pork chops with thinly sliced onions, both cans of soup, and 1 soup can filled with milk.

When meat is tender, spread the box of Stovetop stuffing over the top; using a fork to lightly stir, until slightly moistened. Let stand for 5 minutes or so, until stuffing has time to steam.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

When I was about four or five years old, I had an imaginary friend named Loretta Martin. We would talk and play together. I'm not sure how long she stayed around, in my mind, but one day she rode away on her horse and I watched and waved as she left. After that time, she no longer existed in my imagination.

I love it when I see kids using their imaginations while playing! I truly believe that it is something that helps them in many areas of life as they grow up and mature.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Praise is the rehearsal for our eternal song. - Charles Spurgeon

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org