Are you a lost sheep?

Where are you today? Are you wondering around this Earth feeling lost? Have you allowed things like sadness, loneliness, stress, fatigue, and irritability to get in the way? Why are you always so cranky? Why do you feel overwhelmed? I think you might be a lost sheep wondering in the pastures of life.

Imagine being a sheep that has wondered away from its flock and its master. Look around. You are alone. You can't see any companions. There is no one keeping you close and safe. You might be able to find food or shelter on your own, but its not the same. When you are with your flock, you can cuddle up and keep warm and feel at home. You know your master is protecting you and watching out for you. You don't have to worry about where your next meal is coming from. But, so often you get distracted from how it is suppose to be and you see that green pasture over there. You begin to drift toward it because it looks attractive. I bet the grass tastes better over there. I could have it all to myself. I bet there is a beautiful brook of water down there. Before you know it, you look back and all you have is this green pasture and you. You are all alone. Was it worth it?

Now, think of yourself as the shepherd, caring for the flock of sheep. Your eyes are always open for danger. You know where each one of the flock are at at all times. You know where the food and water is. You know where they should be when night falls. You keep a head count of the flock so that if any go missing you might look for them immediately. You are the guide. You are the caregiver. You know what is over in the other pasture and its only dangerous for your sheep. You are the protector. You know what's best for your flock, so you try to guide and teach them so that they learn the right way.

All of us can identify with the sheep. I know I can. I am always looking where the grass is greener. Someone else has more money or more "stuff", what do I have to do to get that? I always think that its got to be better "over there" than it is here, where I am stuck. When I wander over there and try it my own way, all I get is frustration and loneliness. I look around and wish I had all my friends around me and my master to protect and guide me. Then, I see the next good spot to go check out and I'm off on my own stubborn will again. When will I ever learn???

I don't know if I'm ready to be a shepherd. I'll leave that job to the pastors of our churches and Sunday School teachers and the like. But, I know I don't want to be like a lost sheep for the rest of my life. I want to know that someone has my back. I want to listen to wisdom and be a part of a group of others just like me. So, that means everyday I must turn to the master, see where He is, ask what His will for my life would be, and obey. God is the ultimate shepherd. He can see what's best for us. He will guide us and keep us safe. But, we have to choose to stay near him. It always comes down to a daily choice. Today do you choose to stay near your master and wait for his command. He will take care of you. Or, are you like the lost sheep, going out on your own because you think you know better and want to go see what is out there to find? I am choosing not to be a lost sheep anymore. I will stay close and listen for my master's guidance!

LIFE......choose it!!!

L.I.F.E. ministries.....

Living, Learning, and Loving
In
Faith
Everyday!!!

Everyday we have tons of choices to make. Do I get out of bed? Do I take a shower? Blue or pink underwear? Oatmeal or toast? Happy or sad? What's for lunch? Do I smile and talk to the cashier? Workout or lay on couch and watch a movie? Forgive or resent? Live? Learn? Love? Everyday......really?

Do you choose to live everyday? God wants us to have life and have it to the full. When I lay around and let my depression take over, I am not choosing to live. I have whole periods of my life that I don't have pictures of or even remember. It's because I walked around in a dark cloud, refusing to live life. That is so sad. God has given me this life with my beautiful children, an amazing husband, amazing friends, on this beautiful Earth. Today, I choose to live my life!!!

Do you choose to learn everyday? God wants us to use our brains. He does not want us to sit around with an idle mind. The struggles and hardships in our lives are God's way of teaching us life lessons. Do you pay attention to these? Or , are you like me and have to be knocked over the head several times before you learn a lesson? Open your mind. Open your heart. Pay attention to the daily chances to learn patience, love, kindness, forgiveness, and many other lessons everyday. Today, I choose to learn to be more like Jesus everyday!!!

Do you choose to love everyday? God is love. God loves us so much he let his son die for our sins. God believes in love. Love is written about so much in the bible. It is the ultimate way we show people who Jesus is, by loving them. This is not easy because people are unlovable. People are selfish. People can be mean. The bible tells us to choose kindness, compassion, patience, gentleness, and compassion, which are all expressions of love. Today, I choose to love like there is no tomorrow! I choose to love my kids, my husband, my friends, my family, my enemies.......Today, I choose to love others as much as I can, just like God loves me!!!

Do you have faith? Faith is belief in the unseen. It is hard for us to believe in something we cannot see. But, the bible is clear. There is only one God. And, I don't know about you, but I have so many things in my past that point to God's miracles. How can I choose anything but faith? God has changed my heart. God has saved my marriage. God has helped me be a better mother. God has helped me to forgive people that I felt were unforgivable. God has spoken words and devotionals into my heart. I have felt the Holy Spirit confirm this calling. Today, I choose to walk in faith and believe that my God has everything under control!!!

I hope you will join with me on this journey of living, learning, loving, and having faith EVERYDAY! It is so much better than the alternative.....