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

January 26, 2022

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

About three months ago, my brother-in-law, Ken, went on a big fishing trip in Guyana, South America. He caught kinds of fish that I've never even heard of and it was quite the adventure.

He then got his heart set on catching a marlin, so went to Mexico to fish. He caught a lot of big fish, but no marlin. Next he traveled to Costa Rica and had a great time, caught lots of fish, but no marlin. Work is starting to pick up, so last week he decided to try Cabos Mexico one more time.

His perseverance paid off! The first day he went out fishing, Ken caught a 150 pound, 99-inch marlin. He was quite excited!

The next day he went out fishing and caught 19 -- yes 19 -- marlin!! Unbelievable! Then his last day, he caught a small marlin.

Ken's dream, his goal, was to be able to catch one marlin; but God blessed him, and allowed him to catch 21. How awesome is that?!

Many times we pray for something in particular, and are happy if God just answers that one request, giving us exactly what we ask for. We don't expect anything more and are content, if we get what we desire. In fact, many of us feel as if we don't deserve anything more or better, but as long as we can get the one thing that we are asking for, then we're fine with that.

We are often happy to settle for a little, when our Father wants to bless us with abundance. He loves giving good gifts to His children! In fact, nothing is too difficult for God and He can do exceedingly, abundantly above what we could ever ever think. But when He does, we often feel as if we are undeserving and don't know how to handle God pouring out His abundance upon us.

In 2 Samuel chapter 9, we read the story of David and Mephibosheth, who was the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. David was king, and he asked if there was anyone still alive from the house of Saul, so that he could show him kindness for Jonathan's sake.

David found out that there was still a son of Jonathan who was alive; although he had crippled legs. So David asked that Mephibosheth be brought to him.

When Mephibosheth arrived, he fell on his face and prostrated himself before David. David told him not to be afraid. Then David said, "I will show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat bread at my table."

Mephibosheth's response was, "What is your servant, that you should turn to look at such a dead dog like me?"

I'm sure that he knew his family lineage and was aware of the fact that his grandfather had been the first king of Israel. He was born into royalty. But when he was five years old, the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child's nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away to flee, he fell and became lame. Mephibosheth had been hidden away for many years and now had a young son of his own.

He didn't feel worthy of all that King David was bestowing upon him. David restored back all of the land that had belonged to Mephibosheth's grandfather, Saul; and he gave orders for Ziba, Saul's servant, and all of his sons and servants, to till the land and take care of it, on Mephibosheth's behalf.

But Mephibosheth was to live in Jerusalem and eat at the king's table, just like one of King David's own sons.

David didn't care that Mephibosheth was crippled in both legs. He chose to bestow kindness to him, for the sake of his best friend, Jonathan's, sake; even though Jonathan was dead. He went above and beyond what would ever have been expected of him. In fact, as king, he could have ordered for anyone left of King Saul's household to be killed. But David chose to treat Mephibosheth as one of his own sons and welcomed him to eat at his table. He restored land and property that he could have kept for his own.

Mephibosheth saw himself as a dead dog, crippled with little or no use, but that isn't how the king viewed him.

We often view ourselves very differently than how the King sees us. God sees us as precious, beloved, special, sons and daughters, and the bride of His Son. He desires to give us gifts and pour out blessings upon us. But we are happy with just getting 1 marlin (so to speak), when He wants to give us 21!

Let us be grateful and remember to give thanks to God, when He gives us good gifts.

Recently, I was feeling a little guilty for all that Jon and I have been blessed with. There are others who have more than we do, but God has been so good to us, and we are truly grateful. I have three nephews who are in need of vehicles, for different reasons. The car of one nephew was totaled in an accident that his wife and two kids were involved in (no injuries!). It was an older vehicle with high mileage, so the insurance isn't paying out much on it. Another nephew and his wife only have one car for he and his wife to share, and they both work at different locations; so need another dependable vehicle. Then a nephew has a truck, but filling the tank is taking a huge chunk out of his paychecks, so he needs a car that gets better gas mileage. All of them have looked, trying to find something dependable to fulfill their needs, but used vehicles are so expensive right now and they've all had a hard time finding something.

Sunday at church I was thinking about the fact that Jon and I have two vehicles that are both paid for and very dependable. I felt bad for family members who have big needs right now, regarding finding a vehicle to meet their needs; when we have all that we need. As guilt started to settle upon me, I had to make a choice to turn my thoughts upon what God has blessed us with, and give Him thanks.

I know that these nephews have been praying for God to provide for them. I also know that God is able to bless each of them with good, low-mileage, dependable vehicles that will be exactly what their families need. Nothing is too difficult for God! Just as He has provided for me and Jon, just as He has met our needs, just as He has helped us to become debt-free, just as He has poured out blessings upon us; He will do the same for our family -- as well as for others. He loves us, cares for us, and will take care of us. So let's stop expecting just the one "marlin", and anticipate that perhaps He has twenty-one lined up in our path!!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Ken went out fishing the next day. If he had been so pleased with one marlin that he went home, he would have missed out on all the rest.

Sometimes when we get the first glimpse of what we've been eagerly praying for, we close the door and walk away. We miss out on the rest of what God has in store for us.

It's like a couple getting married, celebrating their wedding and a reception, then each go home to their own homes and lead their own lives separately.

Or it's like accepting Jesus in our hearts so we can be saved, and have an eternity in heaven, but not really letting Him into our lives. We can miss out on a daily relationship with him. He is more than just passage into heaven. He is our Savior, our Companion, our Lord.

Yes, when we receive what we pray for, be thankful. But don't shut the door and walk away. Keep that communication open, and be ready for much more.

ON THE MENEWE:

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Saute chicken, onion, and garlic until chicken is cooked. Add chicken broth.

Mix masa flour with 2 cups water with whisk, then add to pan.

Add 1 cup water, enchilada sauce, salt, chili powder and cumin.

Bring to a boil, then simmer 30-40 minutes or until thick. Add in Velveeta (cut into chunks, so it will melt easier) and stir until completely melted.

Top with tortilla chips when servings.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

I love reading back over old newsletters that I've written and find old memories that I have forgotten about.

When my nephew, Jax, was age 4, he had disobeyed his mom and she told him that he had to go to time out. Jax asked, "Mama, are you my friend?" She told him yes. Jax responded with, "Well, friends don't put friends in time out!" What a little smarty-pants he was -- and still is! He found out that the role of mama trumps the friend relationship when you are a child; so he had to go sit in time out.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Sometimes we get so carried away trying to be right,

we forget to be kind. - Bob Goff

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org