What Happened To the Sheep?

I love reading the Christmas story in the Bible. The accounts of everyone and their perspective. How did they feel? What did they see? What did they do? And one perspective in particular, which is one we’ve all heard since we were children is the shepherd’s perspective.

God chose the shepherds to be the first to know about Jesus the Messiah being born. Why did He choose them?

I came across this little bit of information while reading about shepherds; “The shepherd often represents the goodness of a life close to nature in contrast to the artificial life of the town.”

While reading further about shepherds I stumbled upon an actual shepherd’s page in which they describe the qualities of the shepherd..

• Must be tough at heart but also tender hearted because sheep aren’t the smartest animals.

• It’s about learning to go with your instincts and let your gut be your guide.

• Must be willing to be humbled daily.

• Must have great endurance.

• Must exhibit ability to observe.

• Must have patience, the sheep will test you.

“Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed all around them. They were terrified. The angel said, Don’t be afraid.”

Luke 2:8-10 MSG

You know they were terrified! After the angel announced Jesus’ birth, all at once a heavenly choir broke out singing God’s praise! Can you imagine that beautiful sight over a countryside! I can!

“Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.” Luke 2:15-18 MSG

God could have chosen anyone else to hear about the birth of Jesus first but he didn’t. He chose the humbled shepherd. He knew he could depend on them to get the word out.

They had an experience first hand with Jesus and when they shared about it, people listened.

But did you ever wonder what happened to their sheep when they took off running to see Jesus? You know, I can honestly say that I’ve never thought about that until now…

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake.” Psalm 2:1-3

I believe with all my heart, the Lord watched over those sheep that night while the shepherd ran to Jesus!

If God can use a shepherd to tell the good news of Jesus’ birth, he can use us too!

So go tell it on the mountain and everywhere that Jesus Christ is born!

A Map For Life

Just ask my husband Kevin if I’m good with directions. For that matter, ask any of my children and just see what they say!

I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT good with directions! And have you ever heard of the phrase, “They couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag!” 😂 Well…I don’t think I’m THAT bad, but family members may disagree!

Who remembers a map? You know, a map that was made of paper, that had directions on where to go. I used to love getting those things in my hands and map out our vacation route…oh wait, I never did that, someone else always did! 😉

No maps anymore! Not when you have a phone that can do it all! Thus, the lost art of mapping (the old fashioned way!)

I’m so thankful I have a Heavenly Father who knows that I need help in getting where I’m going! Without Him, I truly am lost!

I’ve been taking scripture, a verse and studying it for a week. I read before the certain passage and after. And this week, it’s really speaking to me.

“Here I am, your invited guest – it’s incredible!

I enter your house; here I am, prostrate in your inner sanctum, (now here’s the good part!)

Waiting for direction to get me safely through enemy lines.” Psalm 5:7-8 msg

Do you ever feel like life sometimes is just going through one enemy line right after another? There’s someone who can lead you through it, and his name is JESUS!

Gotcha!

*This is in Sofia, Bulgaria at the hotel right after we adopted Maria.

Eighteen years ago today, my husband and I walked into an orphanage in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria and met our daughter for the first time. Maria Dean Maxwell

Maria was 5 1/2 when we adopted her, she is now 23.

“Gotcha Day” is a phrase that denotes the anniversary of the day on which a new member joins a family in the adoption process. Wikipedia

With skinny bird legs and a big bow in her hair, this dark haired, dark eyed little girl ran immediately to Kevin and threw her arms around him.

She put her Winnie the Pooh backpack on, took our hands and was ready to go home, and never looked back.

*This is our first trip to Walt Disney World!

Adoption is not for everyone. I believe that God has to lay it on your heart and in your mind long before you start to talk about it.  I know, because he did this with us.

“He has told you what is good
and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

*That girl has always loved watermelon!

We knew that Maria was special needs, and we also knew that raising a special needs child was part of God’s plan for us. He whispered in my ear that he would never leave or forsake us on this journey He called us to travel on.

“Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

*One of Maria’s field trips at school!

Maria is Traumatic Brain Injured with Cerebral Palsy on her right side. But none of this slows her down, and it does not define who she is. She is one tough cookie and has a personality that everyone loves! She can make you laugh with her wit, and make you cry when she accomplishes things you never thought she could.

*Maria graduating from High School!

I have never worried about Maria’s future because I know who holds it!

*At the Tim Tebow “Night To Shine Prom” this year!

She is a blessing to all who know and love her! Happy “Gotcha Day Maria Dean!”

More Important Than Lunch

Our daughter Maria never ceases to amaze me!  She is truly a gift from God, my little rock at times.

She was right by my side 2 years ago when a car ran a red light and T-boned us, resulting in a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a broken clavicle for me.  Thank the Lord, just some abdominal bruises for her!

We never knew what hit us that day. As we sat there waiting for the ambulance, I was shaking, and in so much pain. Maria kept patting my knee, comforting me.  She was telling me that I was going to be alright and that help was coming. What a blessing she was to me that day.  My little rock.

Yesterday, she was my little rock once again. We went to visit my Mother in the nursing home. For the past couple of days, my brother and I have noticed that our Mother has just not been herself. When I went to see her on Sunday, she was sitting up, but she would not open her eyes for me.  I knew something was not right. It appeared she was extremely tired.  My brother and his wife went Sunday afternoon, and she was the same way with them.

Maria and I went yesterday to check on Mom.  She was at the table where they eat, and her head was bowed over as she was sitting up in her wheelchair.  I tried to get her to eat, but I didn’t have much luck.  I went to tell the nurse that was on duty that my brother and I were concerned with our Mom, how she had been for the past couple of days.  She came and got Mom, took her vitals, and called her Doctor.  The nurse told me that he wanted her taken to the hospital to be checked out.

We waited for the ambulance to come and get Mom.  The trip from the nursing home to the hospital is not far at all, maybe 5 minutes. It was getting late.  Maria and I had not eaten anything since early yesterday morning.  Knowing we would pass a Wendy’s, I figured I could get Maria something to eat on the way.  I knew it would take a few minutes for them to get my Mom settled into the emergency room.

So, I asked Maria; “Hey, you want me to stop and get you anything for lunch?”  Her response; “No, going to the hospital is more important than lunch.”  I looked at my daughter and was just amazed at that moment.  God was reminding me once again what a blessing she is, and such a little rock for me at times.

They weren’t the least bit concerned for their lunch, the 5 thousand who came to hear Jesus.

“From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. ( Jesus and the disciples had gotten in a boat to go off to a remote place to rest) When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke ~ like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough ~ it was now quite late in the day ~ they interrupted: “We are a long way out in the country, and it’s very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper.”  Jesus said, “You do it. Fix supper for them.” Matthew 14:13-16 

 We all know this bible story by heart.  With 5 loaves and 2 fish, Jesus fed this huge crowd of 5 thousand.  It was past lunch, and probably way past suppertime.  It doesn’t say anywhere in the bible where one person complained that they were hungry!  From surrounding towns, they just didn’t walk, they ran!  They came to be fed, but not with food, but by Jesus himself!  They knew that what he had to say was more important than lunch.

The 5 thousand were about the Father’s business.  Yesterday, my Maria was about the Father’s business.  She knew that going to the hospital and help taking care of her grandmother was more important than lunch!  God knew that Maria’s presence with me was more important than lunch.

They have determined that my Mother has a UTI.  This condition is so hard on older people.  When we left the hospital, she was getting fluids and an antibiotic.  She was resting well.  Maria and I will be going and seeing my Mother at the hospital this morning, hopefully and prayerfully finding her much better.

The picture above is of Maria with her Sunday School class as they were wading in the Hiwassee river this past Sunday.  Her smile says it all, how she enjoys being a part of such a sweet class!  She is my little rock sent from God!

 

 

 

 

 

Why Should I Be Glad In God?

“Be glad in God.!” Philippians 3:1 MSG

…Why should I be glad in God?

“But you, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.” Psalm 3:3 NKJV

“God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax;  you’re never sorry you knocked.” Psalm 32:7 MSG

“God’s my island hideaway, keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.” Psalm 32:7 MSG

“God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” Psalm 34: 4,6,7,15 MSG

“God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, his purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost;  Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.” Psalm 36: 5-6 MSG

 “He lifted me from the mud. He stood me up on a rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song.” Psalm 40:1-2

“God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night. My life is Gods prayer.” Psalm 42:8 MSG

…that’s just a few reasons to be “Glad in God!”