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

June 5, 2024

LIFE IN THE FOLD

Have you ever been in a situation where someone asked you a question and you don't know how to respond, due to it catching you off-guard? Perhaps you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation that is tense or someone says something that is hurtful or unkind; and you aren't sure what to say or do. It may be someone putting you on the spot, asking your opinion, when you know that it will cause controversy or offense or embarrassment to someone and you just really don't want to answer; or perhaps they are wanting you to side with them against another person who is standing right there. There are many different examples of circumstances that we may find ourselves in from time to time that are uncomfortable or we aren't sure how to respond. I'm sure each of us have had that happen.

Recently, my sister and niece were at a gym, walking around the track to get exercise. A man, who was also walking, came by and asked if they gave marital advice. They thought he was just joking, at first, and had been listening to their conversation. My sister said, "Don't pay attention to what we're saying!" They then realized that he was serious. He told them that it was his 34^th wedding anniversary and he had asked his wife that morning what she wanted for a gift. She told him, "Alimony." Neither knew what to say, so just told him that they were sorry. My niece noticed that he had tears in his eyes when he turned around and started walking away from them. They were caught off-guard and didn't know how to respond to him.

Often in situations that catch us unaware we aren't sure how to respond. Generally, it's after the fact that we think, "I wish I had said....... or done......"

I was thinking about this situation and wondered how I would have responded. My hope is that I would have said, "I'm so sorry! I've never been in that situation, so don't have advice to give you; but would you mind if I prayed with you?" My desire is that I would have pointed them to Jesus for help in their situation.

There have been times when I've had good responses and other times when I know that I should have handled it differently. Too often, it's after that fact that I think of how I could have better responded or what I should have said that might have made a difference or been more impactful. And sometimes, the situation may have made me upset or hurt and I responded completely in the flesh, allowing my emotions to overrule my mouth.

There are times when we need to give support and encouragement to others by being present; not by offering advice or telling them what they should feel or what they should do. That's hard sometimes, because when we see someone grieving or hurting, we want to "fix" things for them to try and make it all better. It may be that we don't want to see them making a mistake or wrong choice, but the timing of what we say is wrong and causes more harm than good.

I was 15 when my mama passed away. I was standing at the cemetery, after the graveside service, and two women whom I had known most of my life came up to me. They started saying things like, "Now don't be mad at God for your mom dying! Don't blame God for this happening!" I had just gone through sitting through the funeral and then the graveside service for Mama. My heart was broken and my grief was deep. Those weren't words that offered me comfort. They, in fact, cause hurt and made me feel angry inside. I know that both women meant well! But the timing of what they said wasn't right. A hug would have meant so much more in that moment.

It was the same when my dad passed away. His death had happened suddenly and unexpectedly, and I think my family were all kind of in shock. I was standing at his visitation and a pastor came up to me and said, "Now what does the Bible say about mourning? What does it say?! It says that mourning may endure for the nighttime, but what comes in the morning.... answer me... what is it?!" I knew that scripture and knew that it ended by saying that joy comes in the morning. But was that really the right moment to be in my face about it? I needed to grieve for the death of daddy first, before I found that joy.

Ecclesiastes chapter three is probably some of Solomon's wisest words. There is a time for everything! There is a time to cry and grieve.... and a time to laugh and dance. When we suffer a loss of a loved one, we need that time to cry and grieve, in order for healing to come so that we can once again laugh and dance -- find joy.

Verse 7 tells us that there is a time to be quiet (silent) and a time to speak. We need the wisdom to know the right timing for both. We need to know when we just need to quietly give a hug or sit by someone's side in love and support or let them know that we are there for them, then leave and pray for their situation. We need to know when the timing is right when we need to speak; whether it's praying for someone, offering words of advice or hope and encouragement, or perhaps even speaking words of discipline and correction, when needed.

In conclusion, Peter gives us some wonderful words to live by in 1 Peter chapter 3. He begins by giving advice to wives and husbands. Then he speaks to all believers. Here are just some of the things he says to do: sympathize with each other; love each other as brothers and sisters; be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude; don't retaliate with insults when people insult you -- instead pay them back with a blessing; enjoy life and see many happy days by keeping your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.......

Then Peter tells us when we need to know what to say and speak up! Verse 15 says, "If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way."

That's a time when we need to be prepared with an answer and know what to say. If someone asks you about why you're a christian or why do you need to have a relationship with God, do you know what you'd answer? If not, think about it and pray about it and find out why you believe in God and why you are a believer. Why do you need God in your life? Why would they need a relationship with the Lord? Think about it and be prepared ahead of time, so those questions would never catch you off-guard and you are always ready to explain it!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Many times, when we don't know what to say, it is best to simply say nothing. Proverbs 17:27 & 28 says, "The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning. Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning."

The ones who are speaking the most and loudest are almost always fools. As we head into a very political year, please keep this in mind. Have wisdom to quietly consider the difference between what is being shouted repeatedly and the truth.

ON THE MENEWE:

Stuffed Green Peppers

Cut thin slice from the stem end of each pepper. Remove seeds and membrane; rinse.

Cook peppers in enough boiling water to cover for 5 minutes; drain.

Cook and stir hamburger and onion in 10-inch skillet until hamburger is light brown; drain. Stir in salt, garlic salt, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato sauce; heat through.

Stuff each pepper with hamburger mixture; stand upright in ungreased 5x5 baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over peppers.

Cover and cook in 350 oven for 45 minutes. Uncover; cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with cheese.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

This is our 900^th newsletter! That doesn't seem possible! Thank you to those who read what we write, week after week. We pray that what we write will bless and encourage you; as well, as help you grow in your relationship with the Lord. When I felt God urging me to begin writing these weekly devotionals, I had no idea if it would be something that would be short-term or long-term. When I shared my idea with Jon, he immediately encouraged me and was willing to publish it for me (I don't understand the technical end of these things!), as well as edit and write something each week. We will continue writing, until we feel released from doing this and God gives us something different to do.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Long before Zacchaeus needed to see Jesus, God planted a tree.

He's going before you and making a way too! - Jessica Miller #TheWell

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org