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

August 25, 2021

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

For the past few months there has been work being done on widening our street. For several weeks they have been working on our side of the street. The project ends right beside our driveway, so they've been using our drive to turn their equipment around in from time to time; as well as big utility trucks parking in our drive to reset new electrical poles and taking out the older, smaller ones.

Prior to this all taking place, we had two small potholes -- one right by the pavement as you turn into our driveway and another closer to our house. But with the work crew using our drive to turn around in and the utility trucks pulling in and out, both of those potholes became rather large and deep.

Jon and I had hopes that the work crew would fill in those holes, but honestly, my expectations were that the most they would do is fill in the one closest to the street.

Last week I was driving home, after getting my nephew's kids on the school bus. I just said a simple prayer: "Jesus, let there be someone, with the authority to make decisions, be nearby, when I get home, so that I can ask whether or not they were going to repair our drive." I didn't want an argument, but wanted it fixed.

When I arrived, one of the workers was standing right beside our driveway. I had seen him operating a lot of their equipment these past several weeks. As soon as I got out of the car, he hollered and asked, "Would you like me to put gravel in these holes for you?" I told him, "Yes, that would be great!" I didn't even have to ask to have the work done; he volunteered, without me saying anything!!!

That was an immediate answer to my prayer, in a much bigger, better way than I had ever anticipated or imagined.

Our driveway is about half gravel, then concrete closer to the garage. This worker didn't just fill in both huge potholes, but he put new gravel down on the entire graveled area! He spread it out and smoothed it, then packed it down really well. It's the best our drive has looked for many, many years!

I would have been grateful had there been someone that I could have talked to about the driveway when I got home, and would have considered that an answer to prayer. Had the worker just filled in the big pothole beside the street I would have been happy; but would have been even happier had he filled in both holes and smoothed it over. I would have considered that a blessing and been thankful. But God chose to bless us above and beyond all that we could have asked or hoped for! Through that worker, God poured out His love upon us and we received a great kindness. We never imagined that our entire graveled driveway would be redone! I believe that God put it in that workers heart to bless us in this way, he obeyed that inner nudging, and we benefited. If we had hired someone to bring in the gravel and do the work for us, we would have had to pay hundreds of dollars; and we got it done for absolutely free!

Often we pray with small expectations. We're contented with a little, when God would like to bless us with a lot. We perhaps don't feel worthy or think that we're asking for too much if we ask for anything more than the bare necessities of what we need. We may even feel like we're being greedy if we pray for too much; and should be contented with a little and not expect anything more.

I would have been happy had there been someone standing beside my driveway for me to talk to about our drive. Instead God chose to place someone there who could do the work; and it got done right then.

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) says, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Another version (TLV) says, "Now to Him who is able to do far beyond all that we ask or imagine, by means of His power that works in us."

Matthew 7:11 says, "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him."

Our Father loves us! He loves to bless us and give us good gifts. Sometimes those gifts may be healing, miracles, provision, protection, kindness, etc. Other times, His gift may be a re-graveled driveway at no charge to you!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Most of the time when we look at a frustrating situation, our first plan of attack is to confront someone and push for what we need first. If we fail, then we go to God.

If Loretta had not prayed; if she had called the construction company to demand they fix the pothole where they were turning around, then she might have gotten that pothole fixed. They might have waited a few weeks to do it, or made sure to do it as poorly as possible. But we may have been satisfied with that being all we could expect.

But Loretta did go to God in prayer first. (Well, after discussing the issue with her husband first.) And God provided the answer more abundantly than we had hoped.

So, when you have a need, before you plan out how to take care of it yourself, please pray. God may show you a better plan, or He may simply take care of it.

ON THE MENEWE:

Chicken Breast Casserole

Wrap one piece of bacon around each piece of chicken. Place in casserole dish.

Mix sour cream and cream of mushroom soup together, with a small amount of milk. Pour over the top of the chicken. Do not add salt.

Cook uncovered at 300 for 2-1/2 hours.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

A few years ago I babysat my niece's little girl. When she was 3-1/2 years old, the two of us had this conversation one morning:

Me: Jovie, is that play mat a new toy?

Jovie: No. I've had it for a really long time.

Me: Where did you get it?

Jovie: Jesus gave it to me.

Me: Really? How did He do that?

Jovie: He just came down from Heaven to my house and gave it to me!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Don't underestimate what God is doing in your season of waiting. - TobyMac

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org