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 17, 2024

LIFE IN THE FOLD

There have been times when I've sat down to work on this newsletter or blog, then get interrupted. I may have started writing, then don't get back to it for a few days.

Life is filled with interruptions; some minor and some can be pretty big. Some can mean a change of plans, some can be a tad frustrating, and some can be life-changing.

Over the past few years it seems as if God has been teaching me how to be flexible and adapt when interruptions occur. I can plan what I "think" my week or day will look like, but I can't tell you the number of times that those plans were changed. I'm not sure that I ever have a week that is without some type of change taking place.

In all honesty, I feel like I've become flexible and can adjust quickly to changes regarding my time and schedule. In fact, Jon and I often joke about it. He will sometimes ask, "What does your day look like tomorrow?" My reply is generally, "Well, I THINK I'll be....., but as we know, that could change!" We laugh about it, because my schedule does so often change.

There have been times when my mother-in-law has called and needed me to take her to urgent care; or I receive a call that she was being taken to ER (thankfully, that hasn't happened for a while!). She has prescriptions that need to be picked up from the pharmacy or groceries from the store. I do what I can to make sure she's taken care of.

I get my nephew's two youngest kids on the school bus in the mornings. They have four kids and I've received calls that one of them had got sick at school and needed to be picked up; so I'll go do that so their parents don't have to leave work.

Another nephew's wife homeschools their kindergartener and they have another son in daycare. They've needed me to come watch their kids for various reasons.

I got a text from my niece recently asking if I could pick her daughter up from work for a couple mornings. She does the state homeschool program, but works at a daycare early to mid morning.

There have been times when I've needed to wait at the homes of family for repairmen or deliveries. It's easier for me to do, than them having to take off work.

I love that I'm available to help my family and I thoroughly enjoy my life!! I wouldn't have it any other way!! But it's taught me the need to be flexible and to be okay with interruptions to my day and schedule.

To be honest, I struggled with this a few years ago. I didn't really like it when I made plans, then had to change what I was going to do. I found it frustrating and sometimes irritating. I've been a work in progress to get to where I am today! But I truly do feel as if I've finally come to a place where I'm flexible and can easily adapt to schedule changes and interruptions to my day; and it's okay and I'm perfectly fine with it! It's been a lesson that was taught and learned.

Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."

Proverbs 19:21: "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."

Psalms 37:23 says this: "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their life."

It's not only our daily routine that can experience interruptions, but sometimes plans that we make for our life can be changed and end up completely different than what we think.

What's our response when that happens? Do we become angry, because we feel like God is not being fair or not giving us what we want? Do we try to figure out how we can get our way and remain on the path we desire? Do we fight against change and resist against what God may be trying to do in our life? Do we need an attitude adjustment?

Or do we trust that what happens is God directing our steps and setting us on the path that He knows is best for us? Saying yes to God and being willing to obey is not always easy and can bring about big changes; but it will be the most rewarding life we can live! Allowing God to interrupt our plans and being willing to follow Him fully and completely, not only brings peace to us, but could be life-changing to us, as well as others.

Some may not always like the changes that take place within us or understand the call that God places on our life or the path that He leads us to. But obedience to God is more important than what friends or family think.

When Jesus began His ministry and went back to His hometown, He wasn't accepted there. The response of the people was,"Who does Jesus think He is?! He's the son of a carpenter." I believe that there were many who missed out on spiritual learning, because they weren't willing to accept who He was and listen to Him teach. Many may have missed out on being healed, because they remembered that boy who had grown up running around the village or sweating and working alongside Joseph. They failed to really understand or recognize that He was the Messiah. Some failed to understand the changes in Jesus and not willing to accept those changes.

There may be those who will remember your past, so will fail to recognize the call of God on your life. But that doesn't make the calling any less. Some may not be willing to listen to you. Some don't like change, so don't want to see changes take place in their family or friends.

I encourage you, as we begin a new year, to be willing to listen to God and obey what He asks you to do. Be willing to be flexible and adapt to changes that may interrupt your life. In fact, recognize the blessings that can happen due to those interruptions.

Do you know what I absolutely love about my crazy schedule and all those interruptions? It gives me opportunities to spend time with people that I love! It keeps me from becoming selfish or self-centered or focusing on myself, and changes my focus to others. I feel as if I get to be a blessing to my family, by being available to take them to appointments, dropping off groceries or prescriptions, picking up the kids from school then getting to love them and take care of them until their parents get home, etc. I get to chat with the kids when we're in the car together, sing the little ones to sleep, pick up lunch for them, or just be there and enjoy time spent together.

My life is overwhelmingly full and blessed and I'm so grateful for God allowing me to do what I do! I'm grateful for the path He has me on and for directing my steps.

Ask God to help you change those things that need to be changed, be willing to adapt and be flexible, and to see the blessing in the interruptions that occur in your life. None of us know what the future holds. But regardless of what happens, let's make it our goal to allow the Lord to change our plans, when needed, and to direct our steps! Hold fast to your faith in the Lord and never let go!!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Being able to adapt to changes may be very important over the next year. There have been many predictions or prophecies that many things will change this year. I don't really know what that means, but that's okay. God knows, and as long as we are each willing to listen to Him, He will guide us through it.

I've been reading through the Old Testament lately. It has been a challenge for our church to read certain chapters each week, so we should finish the entire Bible together at some point. But having my focus so heavily on the Old Testament gives me a more negative expectation on changes and upheavals. There, most of the massive changes have involved Israelites being slaughtered, and the few who remain taken into slavery. If you start to feel fear or negative expectations for the changes coming our way, take some time to read the New Testament. After all, we are living in the New Testament now, not the Old Testament. Jesus freed us from that old law. Enjoy the new law.

ON THE MENEWE:

Baked Potato Soup

In large pot, combine peeled and cubed potatoes and bouillon cubes. Add enough water to cover potatoes. (As an alternative, I've just used chicken broth instead of the bouillon cubes and water.)

Cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender and break easily with fork. Do not drain water! Break up potatoes, but do not mash.

Add butter, Velveeta and bacon. Lower heat and simmer until cheese melts. Add in sour cream and stir well. Add in salt and pepper, to taste.

Leftovers are delicious, too!

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

I love it when kids use their imaginations to play! My nephews two five-year olds have found the joy of building blanket forts. A few mornings ago, before school, the kids had build a blanket fort in the living room. Their 6-year old cousin gets on and off the bus with them, so was playing, too. At first the kids were playing that they were building a "cat trap" for one of the cats that likes to jump up onto the kitchen table; and sometimes will drink from their cups, when they aren't watching. Later the two girls changed their game. They had the blankets tied tucked into the couch cushions in front, draped over a wooden chair in the center, then tucked inside the lid of a footstool on the end. One of the girls was sitting in the chair and the other on the footstool and they were pretending that they were riding a bus. The little boy was the driver -- only he didn't know that he was playing with them! He was playing a game on his tablet and they had told him that he was the driver. Occasionally they would ask him if they were at their stop yet and he'd say no. It's fun seeing what kids come up with when they are playing pretend and using their imaginations!!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change.

Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change. - unknown

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org