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

February 19, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

On February 15, 2024 I began an exercise journey. I set a goal of exercising every single day until my 60^th birthday on July 1, 2025. I have just completely my one year anniversary of exercising every day, without exception. That is a huge deal for me!! I have never ever lasted that long at consistently exercising.

Here's the thing: Even after exercising every single day for an entire year, there is no outward visible evidence of that fact. No one would ever look at me and think, "Wow! Loretta looks great!! I can really tell that she has been consistently exercising for a year!" Sad, but true! It's more like I would have to tell them that I've been exercising and their response would be, "Really?!? Hmm......"

Even telling people about my accomplishment, knowing human nature, I'm sure there are those who would either think I'm stretching the truth and not really doing much exercise each day... or think, "If you were REALLY exercising as much as you say you are daily, it would be obvious!" Honestly, I've had enough comments and well-meaning advice made to me, throughout my life, about how I should eat or exercise or what I should or shouldn't do, regarding my weight. People who have no idea what or how I eat, think they know what I'm doing wrong. They think they know, by looking at me, whether or not I exercise.

It's a little frustrating!! I have worked really, really hard at sticking to exercising each day, even when I was tired or busy or just didn't want to do it. I made sure that I did some type of exercise, even if I was gone from home all day and had to do it late at night, before going to bed. Yet there's nothing that anyone can see as a result; not even me, when I look in the mirror. But I have determined to continue exercising every day, until my 60^th birthday this summer; and I do know that there have been benefits, even if no one else knows, except me.

The benefits that I've reaped from this endeavor are: I'm stronger now than when I first started. Last February, I would ride my exercise bike for a couple miles at the resistance level set on 2-3. Now I can ride for 40 minutes at a level 10.... which generally equals around 8 miles; so I have more endurance. I also have defined calf muscles in my legs. I have more energy nowadays. And I've proven to myself that I really can be disciplined to stick to something, if I work at it and try hard.

This past week, I even raised the level of resistance on the exercise bike from a 10 to 12. And most days, I do exercise for 40 minutes... or 8 miles. My main way of exercising has been using the stationary exercise bike, but I have also done other things -- walking, exercising in my nephew's pool last summer, I took clogging lessons for the first part of this journey, etc.

This hasn't been easy for me. I'm 59 years old and for most of my life have struggled with my weight. I've started countless exercise programs, that would last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Then I'd become discouraged when I didn't see results, so would give up and quit. That has been my cycle over and over again; but this time I have actually endured and stuck to it. And it's not been easy, but has taken a lot of discipline and effort on my part. I've had to work through the days of not wanting to do it, knowing if I started skipping days, I'd end up quitting -- again.

As I mentioned earlier, I've not had the results that I would have liked to have had, because I would rather have something that was noticeable. I hold onto that hope, that at some point, things will slowly begin to change and results will be more visible.

I don't plan on stopping exercise on my 60^th birthday, but that was just the original goal I set for myself when I started this.

This reminds me of a story in 1 Samuel chapter 16. God had rejected Saul as king and sent the prophet, Samuel, to the house of Jesse to anoint a new king.

When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem, he took one look at Jesse's son, Eliab, and thought, "Surely this is the Lord's anointed!"

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Jesse presented his sons to Samuel, and none of them were the ones whom the Lord had chosen. Finally, Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have? The Lord has not chosen any of these."

Jesse replied, "There is still the youngest. But he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats." Samuel asked for him to be sent for.

When Samuel saw David, God said, "This is the one!"

There's a song that I heard many years ago that says, "While others see a shepherd boy, God may see a king." God sees what others don't see; or what they choose to not notice. He sees their potential and knows what they are capable of doing or becoming. It doesn't matter what is noticeable on the outside, God sees the heart of man.

Often we have no idea what God may be working on inside of a person. It's easy to look at what is noticeable and judge what we "think" is going on, but we just don't know. But our words and well-meaning advice or criticism may hurt, if we start giving them our opinions. There will come a time when the work that God is doing inside of their heart will become obvious, if they are faithful to listen and obey God and allow Him to complete the work.

David was anointed king many, many years before he ever actually sat on the throne. A lot had to happen before he was ready for that position. But at the appointed time, when God knew that David was ready, it came to pass.

If God is working on something in your life, don't give up and don't lose hope. Even if it seems as if you're having to be self-disciplined and working hard, and no one else notices, keep trusting God and allowing Him to complete the good work that He has begun within you. Then at the appointed time, the results will be revealed and obvious to those around you. But even if they aren't, you know what God has done -- and that will be enough!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

When Solomon had the temple built, it took about 7 years. I just read about a cathedral in Barcelona which has been under construction for almost 140 years. But both of those seem quick compared to the Great Wall of China. It is believed to have taken about 2,000 years to complete.

I've had projects for which I can't pinpoint a finish date. But at least I can estimate one on most projects. That give me a reassuring feeling knowing that there is only so much to do to finish, and it can be done. I can hardly imagine working on a project where the finish date is further away than my retirement. It might be exciting for the last generation, but the first one? I don't think I'd even want to get started on that.

So when Loretta dove in, and started exercising every day, I know she had hope of something, but no specific, or even ball-park finish date to achieve something. But she committed to be faithful for a specific time, whether she could count on a reward or not. That takes a lot of faith.

When we make a commitment to God, we don't know any completion date either. But we do know we have a great reward.

ON THE MENEWE:

Crockpot Tomato Basil Soup

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.

Allow to cool slightly. Puree batches of soup in a blender, or use an immersion blender into the crockpot -- until very smooth.

If you want to add some heavy cream or sour cream and blend in, it will create a creamier soup.

Garnish with fresh basil and some grated parmesan cheese or even some sour cream.

NOTE: Variation -- you can make this to your own liking. I've made it without the carrots, because I didn't have any. I sauteed the onion and garlic in the olive oil, before adding to the crockpot. I didn't have fresh basil, so used the dried bottled variety. I also used home-canned tomato sauce instead of whole tomatoes.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

My nephew's daughter, who is 6, had been getting into trouble day after day at school. She was bossy to the other students and not listening to her teacher -- among other things, I'm sure. So after her parents talking to her, she was finally grounded and her mom told her that on distance learning day, she had to stay home and couldn't go anywhere.

I was going to be staying with the kids on distance learning day, and the little girl asked if she could come to my house to play. I told her no, because her mama had told me that she was in trouble for being naughty at school. A little later she asked if maybe I could bring Sammie (our dog) to their house for just a little bit on distance learning day, then she could ride with me to my house to take him home. Nice try, little girl! I knew exactly what she was trying to do -- figure out a way to come to my house!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Peace comes not from the absence of trouble;

but from the presence of God. - Alexander Maclaren

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org