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

September 18, 2024

LIFE IN THE FOLD

Earlier this week when I took my nephew's two kids and their cousin outside to wait for the school bus, I noticed that the other kids at the bus stop were sitting on the curb beside the street. The bus stop is at the house next door to my nephew's home.

The three kids that I'm responsible for asked if they could go next door and wait with the other kids. At first I told them no, then when it was actually time for the bus (we go out a few minutes early so we won't miss it), I let them go ahead and walk next door. But I told them that they were not allowed to sit on the curb and to stay away from the street. My niece asked why and I told her because it wasn't safe. She wanted to know why the other kids were doing it, and I told her that I wasn't their mom -- but I could tell the three that I am responsible for what to do; that cars drive too fast through the neighborhood, so it's not safe to sit beside the street like the other kids were.

A couple of the parents just drop their kids off, then leave; one girl lives nearby, so walks to the bus stop by herself; and there is only one dad who parks and waits until the bus comes, before leaving. I believe there are six or seven other kids, besides my three, who get on the bus at that stop.

I kind of feel like the grandma watchdog! There have been a few times when I've had to scold the kids for various things. Examples are: rolling a water bottle down the driveway, then running out into the street to get it; tossing a small ball, against the garage door of the house where the bus stops, in an attempt to hit a couple of kids who were standing in front of it (an older couple lives in that house, so I'm sure they don't appreciate the kids doing that!); climbing on that neighbors mailbox; writing in the dew/frost that was on their car; one of the boys trying to pour water out of his water bottle onto the shoes of one of the other boys...... Thankfully, the kids are quick to listen and obey when I say something to them!!

This morning that neighbor had a lawn care service there mowing and weed-eating. The men who were doing the work told the kids to stand across the street and wait for them to finish. When I saw that they were done and loading up to leave, I told the kids to go ahead and come across the street since it was time for the bus.

They were telling me what the man had told them and why they were across the street. While I had their attention, I told them that I had seen them sitting on the curb beside the street the day before and not to do that again, because it's not safe -- that cars often drive too fast through the neighborhood, and I didn't want anyone to get hurt. The 3-4 kids that are siblings all spoke up and said, "But our mom told us to sit there!"

I thought, "Good grief! Why would a parent tell their children to sit on a curb right beside the street, then take off and leave them there?!?"

But what I actually said was, "Well, I'm not your mom so I can't tell you what to do. But I don't feel like it is safe for you to sit there, because cars do sometimes drive fast through here (they use that neighborhood street to cut between two of the major streets so they don't have to go through a traffic light!), and I want you all to be safe. But if your mom tells you to sit there again, scoot away from the street and keep your feet next to the curb and don't stand up or walk in the street. I don't want anyone to get hurt!" They all said okay, then the bus came.

These kids are in elementary school, so are between the ages of five and ten. To me, it's only common sense and wisdom to keep little kids away from the street and now allow them to sit on a curb abutting up to where cars and trucks and buses are driving.

I've been reading the book of Proverbs. A group from church has been reading through the Bible for over a year now and this was the last book to read for completion. At first I was reading through Proverbs with the intent of finishing up reading through the Bible, but then I realized how much meat and depth there was. I decided to slow down and really take it in, in order to learn.

Over and over again throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon writes about how necessary and important wisdom is.

In 1 Kings chapter 3, we read the story of Solomon when he first became king. God appeared to him in a dream and said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you." Out of all of the various things that Solomon could have asked God for, he chose to ask for wisdom. Scripture says that the Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. God told him, "Because you asked for wisdom, I will give you what you ask for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have."

Kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon again and again says to ask God for wisdom and understanding. He writes about the benefits of having wisdom. Those benefits weren't only for Solomon or the people of his generation, but for us today.

Asking God for wisdom and understanding is now an important part of my prayers. It's something that I truly desire. Having wisdom and knowledge affects decision making, how your treat others, your attitude, how you live your life..... just everything! I want to be a wise woman, who also has understanding and knowledge. I don't want to be foolish.

Sometimes there is some wisdom that comes with age and maturity and experience; at least, there should be. The kids at that bus stop are young enough to be my grandkids; and their parents are of an age where they could be my kids. I'm sure that I have a different perspective of safety and other things than they do. Perhaps they have seen me standing outside with the three that I'm responsible for, saw my white hair, and thought that their kids are safe with a little old granny woman outside watching. My thought is, they've never met me, don't know me or anything about me, and should stay with their kids until the bus comes. And they shouldn't tell their kids to sit on the street curb.

I'm not blasting those parents, but using this situation as an example to make a point. Our use of wisdom and applying it not only affects us, but can also have an impact of others; which in turn could be life changing.

Should one of those kids get hit by a car, not only would it hurt them (or worse), but it could be life-changing for their parents and have an impact on them and their future. Depending on the level of how badly the child was hurt and the parents' insurance situation, it could also have an impact on the family's finances.

I encourage you to read the book of Proverbs -- slowly and with the intent of learning and applying what you have read. Pray for wisdom, seek wisdom, and ask God to help you mature and grow in using wisdom in your every day life.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

I recommend reading completely through the Bible a few times. But I do recommend reading part of the Old Testament, then part of the New Testament. The Old Testament does have great stories of redemption and God's forgiveness. But it can also go many chapters about laws and punishment. So it is important to take a break from it once in awhile, and read the Good News (or Gospel), that Jesus completed the law, and gave us a better law, to love the Lord first, and love each other second. It can also help to see all the stories from the Old Testament that mirrored Jesus and our salvation. Each time we study, we find more. And we keep finding references to each other again and again.

ON THE MENEWE:

Oven Fried Chicken

Crush Cornflakes; add garlic salt and pepper. Dip chicken in melted butter, then roll in the seasoned Cornflake mixture. Place in greased baking pan. Sprinkle with any remaining butter and Cornflake crumbs.

Bake uncovered at 375 for about 1 hour, or until tender. Do not turn while baking.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My niece is teaching high school english at a private christian school this year. Recently she added the words "demure" and "nonchalant" to the vocab list, because those words are being used nonstop as slang by the kids nowadays. One of the sweet freshmen girls looked at my niece like she was so adorkable, and said, "Aw, did you just learn those words?" My niece found that funny and couldn't stop laughing!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

When you replace "why is this happening to me"

with "what is this trying to teach me?" everything shifts. - TobyMac

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org