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 25, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

A few days ago, I picked up two of my nephew's kids and brought them to my house for a couple of hours. The little girl, who is 6, is always giving me something. She will draw me a picture, give me a little miniature toy she has, give me a bracelet she has made out of whatever she found to make it with, etc. Yesterday, when I walked in to pick them up, she gave me a picture of a heart she had drawn for me. Her brother generally doesn't give me anything, but yesterday had written a message to me on a piece of paper and gave it to me. Needless to say, my fridge is covered with these special drawings!

I got the kids on the school bus this past year and numerous times, I'd later find some little "gift" that she had slipped inside my purse when I wasn't looking. I absolutely love that! I love her giving heart and the desire to give me something!

Last night as I was cooking dinner, I was thinking about that and then thought of my stepmother, June, who passed away a few years ago. Every time I'd stop by to visit Daddy and June, she would want to give me something to take home with me. It might be a jar of green beans that they'd canned from their garden, or in the summer something fresh from their garden. They raised chicken for Tysons for many years and at that time, could buy boxes of chicken direct from them. She'd give me chicken, if I needed some. If she had some fabric, she might say, "Let me whip you up a dress while you're here," - and she would! She was an excellent seamstress! I've seen her lay fabric out on a table and use a pattern, that I'm sure wasn't my size, but she never pinned the pattern to the fabric. She would throw a few butter knives on top to hold it down and start cutting. She somehow knew exactly how large to cut each piece, because the dress would fit me every single time!

Funny story! The only thing that the two of us really ever disagreed on was dress styles. She loved ruffles and lace - I did NOT! She would tell me, "It looks so plain! If you'd let me add in a ruffle around the tail (bottom of the dress!), it would look better." No, thank you!!

Did you know that giving is listed as a gift in the Bible? Romans 12:6 says, "In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well." It begins listing different things: prophecy, serving others, teaching, leadership abilities, showing kindness.....

Verse 8 says, "If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously."

In the examples above, that's what my nephew's daughter and my stepmother both did. Give generously from whatever they had! It doesn't mean that you have to be wealthy or have great riches; but you have a desire to give generously from that which you've been blessed with.

Verses 9-10 say, "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring others."

I don't think we often recognize the gift that God has placed within us. We think of someone who teaches or is in a leadership role as being gifted and using their gift. But look at the other ones listed: serving others, encouraging others, giving generously, showing kindness! When we are gifted in those areas, it comes naturally to act in our gifting and we don't always see it as God using us and working through us. It's not a big deal, because it flows out of who God created us to be.

But the flip side is, just because something may not come as easily to us or flows naturally or isn't our gift that God has placed within us, doesn't mean that we shouldn't do those things.

Serving others may not come easily to you and be something that you have to work at, but there may be occasions where you need to do that. Being an encourager may not flow naturally and you have to put some thought and effort into it, but you can still encourage others. Giving may not be a thought that even enters your mind often, but there are still times when God will nudge you to be a giver.

So although something may not be our God-given gift, doesn't mean that we are exempt from doing those things. But it just may take more thought and effort and work on our part.

But the gift that God has given each of us, and He truly has given us all a gift, will be that which flows naturally, without thought and effort. It will bring us much joy and pleasure when we are using our God-given gift.

Something that we all can and must do is to love others. Don't just pretend to love, or love them if they agree with us, or if it comes easily because we really like them. And loving doesn't mean that we like everything that someone may do and say. The scripture I quoted above says to hate what is wrong - meaning the action or sin that is wrong - not the person who is doing wrong.

"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." That's a hard one at times! Even with those closest to us, it has to be a choice at times. We may get really aggravated at our spouse or a sibling or best friend. God didn't make us clones of one another, and we will differ on opinions and outlooks and there may be arguments. But when it's all said and done, we choose love!

Use your God-given gift! Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Love your neighbor (which is everyone) as you love yourself! (Matthew 22:37-39)

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

There are some people who are absolutely consumed with hatred. I suspect some of them refuse to accept Jesus for no more reason than that they don't want to feel obligated to love their neighbors or to love their enemies. They don't want to let go of their hatred, so won't embrace the love God offers to them.

I haven't truly hated anyone in decades. Even the bullies I faced in high school; I don't hate them anymore. I admit there are a few people who could get dysentery and I might smile at the thought. But I don't really want anyone to suffer or to die. And I certainly don't want anyone to face hell. Even people who have behaved abominably; I hope they get saved, and spend eternity in heaven.

I admit I've had some difficulty with that in the distant past. But here is a sure-fire trick I used to need: I love God. God loves them. So how can I help but at least love them a little, too? God may hate what they do or how they feel, and so do I. But He truly loves them. And He expects me to show love for them, too.

So avoiding Jesus because you might have to love someone despicable is like putting the cart before the horse. It's like cleaning up so you can take a bath. You can start loving Jesus and our Heavenly Father, and loving others will come naturally after that.

ON THE MENEWE:

Shrimp and Baked Potato

In a 9x13 pan place the shrimp (recipe calls for the easy peel shrimp; but you can use whatever kind you prefer). Amount determined by how many people you are feeding. Add in the chopped onion and celery. Either melt the butter and pour over the top, or place pats of butter over the top. Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, to taste (can use alternative seasonings, if preferred).

Cook at 400 for 20 minutes.

Bake potatoes.

Serve the shrimp with cocktail sauce.

Use the drippings in the baking pan (butter, onion, celery) as a topping for the baked potato.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Last week we had a visiting missionary come speak at our church. It was pretty informal with pizza and fellowship in the beginning, then she shared her experience and answered questions. At the end, everyone gathered around and was praying for her. During prayer, I noticed that the 4-year old son of my nephew and his wife (who are pastors of the church) was missing. I went to the back of the church and found him. I asked what he was doing and he said, "Sometimes I just need some time by myself!" I told him that I understand; sometimes I need time by myself, too. He said, "You do?! Sometimes I just don't like being around people." "I get it, buddy! Sometimes I don't like being around people either!"

A while back I was babysitting him and his 7 year old sister. He told me that when he grows up, he's going to live with Jovie (who is his cousin and 7 years older than he is). I asked who was going to do the cooking and he said that he was. I told him that Jovie would probably like that. I asked what else he was going to do and he said play video games. I told him that Jovie really likes to take naps, so he'll have to be really quiet when she's asleep. I asked him if he was going to do anything else when he gets big and lives with Jovie. He said, "No! Just cook and play video games!"

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Loving others isn't a religious exercise;

it's the very heart of God on display. - TobyMac

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org