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

December 4, 2024

LIFE IN THE FOLD

I grew up singing in church, but when I was probably 13 years old, I started singing in a trio with two of my sisters. I played piano for us, too. I am mostly self-taught and play by ear, but have improved over the years. As with anything, the more experience you have the better you become; so let's just say that I play better now at age 59 than I dd when. was a young teenager.

Sometime when I was probably around 13-15 years old, our church attended a big youth rally with other area Assembly of God churches. A well-known Southern Gospel group was going to be in concert, so adults attended as well as the youth. It was at a large church and the church was packed. Our paster, at that time, oversaw the youth rallies and for some reason thought it would be a good idea for my sisters and me to sing a song during the offering. The professional group sat on the stage while we sung, which was pretty intimidating. The song "Rise Again" was popular, at that time, and that is what we chose to sing.

Shortly after we had sat back down and the group got back up to sing, they announced that they were going to sing that exact same song. The daughter in the group had recently gotten married and that was the one song that her husband was featured on. So they did their version of the song. Of course, their pianist was accomplished and they had the professional sound that we didn't have; and to be honest, we were greatly embarrassed and felt a little humiliated. It kind of felt as if everyone was feeling sorry for those poor Horton girls; and some of them probably were. I'm sure that they didn't mean it like this, but it felt like a comparison between their version and ours - and ours came up lacking.

For many, many years afterwards, I did not like that group and didn't like listening to their music and basically held a grudge. I remembered that feeling of humiliation and embarrassment and held tightly to it. Now truthfully, I think they could have handled the situation better and should have not sung the song after we did, out of respect for us; but on the other hand, I should have forgiven them and let it go years ago...

Here's the thing: I would guess that this group moved on to their next concert and forgot all about this happening. It probably wasn't a big deal to them and not something that lingered in their memories. And if you've ever been to a big concert with multiple groups, there are times when more than one group may sing the same song, so they likely thought nothing of it -- unlike us. I'm sure they were good, godly people and their intention was not to embarrass or humiliate us. They just wanted to give the new husband an opportunity to be featured on a song.

When something happens that affects our feelings -- whether it be embarrassment, humiliation, fear, worry -- it makes an impression on us and we tend to remember. But if there are others involved that perhaps it didn't impact, then they don't have those same lingering emotions and memories. It doesn't make them bad people or unfeeling or uncaring; it just didn't have the same emotional impact on them as it did us.

What we do with those feelings and how we allow them to control our thoughts and emotions is a choice that we have to make.

For instance, I wasn't hurting the members of this group by holding onto this grudge and choosing to not like their group after this had happened. There were thousands of others who listened to their music, loved and supported them. Had I walked up to them a month after this had happened, it's doubtful that they would have had any recollection of who I was or where they had seen me. In fact, we never even talked or saw one another at the end of that concert. I doubt that they would have recognized me in the crowd of people at the end of that very concert... maybe, they would have... maybe not. I was one in a crowd of probably 300-400 people.

That is generally how holding onto things works. It doesn't hurt the person who we are harboring bad feelings towards; only us. There is power in letting go of those things that weigh us down. Don't misunderstand me, I didn't hate these people or wish bad things to happen to them; but I did remember this incident and talked about it from time to time for the past 40+ years. Even though members of the group changed over the years and many passed away, I still remembered what happened.

Some of you may read this and think, "That was silly of you! Why would you even care?! It wasn't that big of a deal!" But stop and think back over your own life for a minute. Do you have things that have happened, words said, situations that you have held onto and keep bringing up and talking or thinking about? Things that the other person likely doesn't even remember, but you've held onto? It's easy to think someone else is being silly, but yet hold tightly to things that have embarrassed or humiliated or hurt you personally.

I heard a speaker at a women's conference many years ago talk about this. Someone had written her a letter that was very critical and it really hurt her feelings and made her feel bad. She said that she carried that letter around in her purse and would take it out and read it from time to time and wonder why this person didn't like her and why they had said what they did... and she'd get upset all over again about it. One day she was praying and felt God speak to her and ask, "Why are you carrying that letter around with you? Why are you holding onto it? Throw it away and let it go!"

It's only when we let something go, quit replaying it over in our mind again and again, that we can truly forgive and heal and move on. Whether it's something big or small, we can't keep holding onto them, but need to learn how to loosen our grip on them. I know, that's not easy to do. But with God's help, we can do it! When those thoughts pop up in our mind tell them, "No! I have forgiven and am moving on and I don't have room for you anymore. I'm going to fix my thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise!" (Philippians 4:8)

Not gonna lie! I battle my thoughts too often and think on things that aren't beneficial. I don't always have kind thoughts towards people. I remember things that happened or were said in the past, that I should have let go of years ago. I think about all the "what ifs" that could happen and different scenarios for various situations. Sometimes I allow my thoughts to linger on those things longer than I should, before reigning them back in.

But that's not how I want to be! I want to fix my thoughts on those things mentioned in Philippians 4:8. I would rather have happy, joyful, loving, beneficial thoughts; instead of negative, critical, unhappy thoughts. I would rather trust God, than worry and fret. I want to be one of those people who forgive easily and move forward in life; but I have to work at it and not just wish for it to happen. I have to pray and ask for God's help.

In 2 Samuel 23, it is telling about King David's mightiest three warriors. One of them was Eleazar. Verse 10 says that he and David were fighting against the Philistines. Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines until his hand grew tired and froze to his sword.

If we are going to have something stick in our hand, in our life, let's make sure it something worthwhile and good. Let's not hold so tightly to things that are not worthwhile and useful and helpful that God has to try and pry them out away from us, in order to place something better and beneficial in its place.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

The truth is, the group that sang after Loretta and her sisters might have told someone in the church which songs they planned to sing. And they might have thought that the sisters were deliberately singing the same song first. Who knows?

Sometimes it can be helpful to find out the other party's perspective on events. Of course, sometimes finding out what they intended may make things worse.

Jesus sent his disciples into other towns to spread the word of God. But He knew they wouldn't always be met by people who would be happy to hear them. In Luke 9:5, He said, "And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." They weren't sent to be silent and then leave silently. They were sent to try to talk with others, but if their attempts fail, move on, and don't look back. Don't even carry the dust from their towns with you.

I'm sure they felt let down when that happened. They had something wonderful to share, and some would miss out simply because they were stubborn. But they couldn't dwell on it, and they couldn't pass up other opportunities in other towns for it.

ON THE MENEWE:

Puppy Chow Candy

(For people consumption only -- not for puppies!)

Combine peanut butter, butter, and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute; stir. Add vanilla and stir again until well blended. Put cereal in a very large bowl. Pour mixture over cereal and mix gently to coat. Next coat with powdered sugar. To coat with powdered sugar, put the cereal mixture in a large paper bag. Add the powdered sugar; fold down top of the bag and shake (the bag.... or you can shake yourself while shaking the bag.... whatever will be the most fun!) to evenly coat. Store in a tightly covered canister or bowl.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Here's another fun memory from 10 years ago!

My niece was having her 7 year old daughter read the Christmas story at the dinner table to the family. When she came to the angel saying, "Peace and goodwill to all men," she stopped and said, "Hey, we have one of those stores here!!" The two younger kids chimed in, "Yeah, we have a Goodwill store here.... I've seen that store....." Their mama just agreed with them, "Yes, you're right! We do have a Goodwill store close by."

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,

but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org