"Then this message came to me from the Lord: 'Son of dust, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel, and say to them: The Lord God says to you: Woe to the shepherds who feed themselves instead of their flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the best food and wear the finest clothes, but you let your flocks starve.''' Ezekiel 34:2-3
Shepherds in Life
Last week, my friend, of over 30+ years and I took a trip to Nashville, TN to visit my newly married son and his beautiful wife. We had a super time. It seems in some relationships even though you do not see each other often you are still able to pick up, just like yesterday, where you left off…….true soul friends. Charlotte is my shepherd.
This woman has been my steadfast mentor, rock, confession “hearer” and truly, a friend sent to me from God. This woman, when she first met me was not so impressed. In fact, she was so unimpressed with me, she prayed about me at a retreat shortly after meeting me. How about that for God leading!!! I say Hallelujah because without her in my life, I am not sure where I would be now.
I go to her when I am confused and she seems to be God’s servant speaking to me. Unfortunately, in my life, I tend to ruffle fur or I point out stark realities of our human frailties in serving God. Because I do this, I am often in hot water with higher ups in the religious world and secular world. It has been this way all of my life. Without my shepherd watching over me, I would have fallen, long ago into a depression, a crack in my soul never healed.
When I talk to God I, probably, ask too often, “Why, God why?” So many things in this life confuse me, why people act the way they do, why did this happen, or why can’t You let me know God, why it has to be this way? My shepherd speaks words of wisdom to me and words of comfort.
Looking back over my life, God now shows me the answers to many of my questions of my younger life, and I see the why. That, however, does not stop the whys from returning living my everyday life. AND there is my shepherd, yes, after 30+ years still there watching over me.
Seems to me I am that burr under the saddle and have been all of my life. Seems like that is what I am suppose to be and do, but it brings with it, many heartaches and just “not understanding,” until way after the fact. Oh Shepherd, you are there soothing my wounds. AND I thank God.
Therefore, if any of you are like me, the best thing to do is pray over the “thing” you are wondering about, then listen to the Holy Spirit, and pray to hear correctly. AND look for your shepherd in this life.
My friend says, making a good point, and so I give this to you, “When you pray, please first ask for the Holy Spirit to come into your life and guide you.” And as Judge Judy says, “Put on your listening ears.”
My son recently was married in Las Vegas. As soon as they arrived, someone swindled them. He called me and told me and I said to stop right now and do not allow any more money to be taken from you. That is the evil in this world working its way into a joyous time in your life. He and his bride could only have a certain time off and this is what had to happen. ......getting married in Las Vegas. They will have a church wedding blessing in September.
Unfortunately, loosing some money they now must walk everywhere or take a bus because they cannot afford a cab.
Did he not only call me and tell me of the swindle, which I in turn told him was an evil thing trying to mess with them, which I truly believe; he called me and told me about his “angel” help. He really believes God sent a human angel to them to help them, because out of the blue, a young man from Ft. Wayne, IN, who had seen him perform and loved him and had followed his career, saw them and walked up to them and began to talk. I call that his Shepherd, sent by God.
Nic told me he felt so very badly because he did not remember this man. To make a long story short, this man took Nic and his bride, Jenny, to the wedding chapel, picked up the folks standing up for them, brought another couple, gave them his room key back at the hotel for anything they might need such as food for any friends that might stop at Nic and Jenny’s room. This was a Rock-a-Billy Festival in Las Vegas and there were many folks who knew Nic.
When Nic told me this story he said, “Mom, you said the evil was there and I believe God sent the good, and some I tell this story to, just don’t get it. What is wrong with folks who do not see God’s hand in this?” And, by the way, this young man reads what I write, and told Nic he loves what I write. How about that! Only God, folks, only God.
Go this month, experience life, look for your Shepherd but first ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, then go and serve God. Thank God for your blessings and reach out to those less fortunate than you. You need to be a Shepherd as well as being "Shepherded." Do not forget what the true heart of a Shepherd really means.
That goes for you churches who Shepherd, do not go forth with any type of greed, worldly attitude or fear that some may take advantage of you, give anyway of your heart. For if you forget your business of true shepherding...you fall short. The doors of the churches need to be open for the poor and downtrodden free of charge. (I bring this up because a church in our city charged $10.00 last weekend to get into their garage sale....and it was in an upstairs room, with lots of steps to walk up....this is not a poor church....I pray I am not judging...just reminding us all what "serving" is all about in this troubled world of today).
