**During the month of January, we will be reposting some of the top posts from 2024. We hope these will encourage you and connect to your heart. Stay tuned for all new posts coming in February 2025!**
While waiting in the cardiologist’s waiting room, trying everything I could think of to get my blood pressure down, I started reciting the 23rd Psalm. “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.” That’s as far as I got! There was my answer! Here I was trying everything to make me relax and my blood pressure to be normal, when all along He was saying to me, “I’m the one that does that for you! I make you lie down, I lead you beside still waters, I’m the one that restores your soul. I am all you need, rest in Me!”
I have a wooden statue of a shepherd and three sheep. One of the sheep he is carrying on his shoulders, the other he’s carrying in his arms near his heart and the third is following right beside him. I bought it many years ago, and It is one of the few things that I have kept out and not put up or thrown away. Every time I look at it, I see myself with my shepherd, Jesus. Every day in my life, I have been one of those sheep.
I grew up on a farm north of Plainview with two brothers and a sister. Dickie (Richard), my older brother, and I were together most of the time. I believed that anything he could do, I could also do. The problem was he had an adventurous, bold spirit, and so did I. So our adventures usually got us into trouble. We weren’t rebellious, exactly. We listened and tried to do what our parents said, but our spirit of adventure spoke louder, and our plans seemed much better than theirs. One of these adventures ended up with me falling and breaking my arm. It was noon time and mother had just called us in to eat. Mother and Daddy had to leave their meal and work to drive 12 miles to the hospital to have my arm set. I cannot remember anything ever being said in anger to me about what happened (Grace). Sounds just like the sheep that keeps wandering off doing its own thing, not listening to the shepherd, getting in trouble. And the Good Shepherd comes, finds the sheep and takes it home.
I have many stories I could tell of being held by my Heavenly Father so closely that I could feel and hear His heartbeat! These are the times where I grew in my relationship to Him, learned to rest and trust in His Love for me!
Thanksgiving of 2021, Stewart and I both were sick with Covid. Stewart was in the hospital fighting for his life. I was home feeling like I wanted to die. Our children had come to care for us, and it was the first night I was able to stay alone. I knew Stewart might not live, and suddenly I felt frightened and all alone. I knew in my heart that God never leaves us. He alone has the last word, and His Love is in all he does and allows in our lives, but fear of losing control and of the unknown was creeping into my heart. I was still so sick that I could not even form a sentence or a prayer. I noticed a bright light in our backyard, and it looked as if a tree was covered in light. I went to examine it closer and noticed that the light pole, which is about 18 ft. tall was burning brightly, shining light all over our backyard and through the trees. Now this light had not worked in over 20 years. I heard the Lord say, “Don’t be afraid; I AM with you! I will never leave you! Everything will be alright!” I felt that peace that passes all understanding fill my heart and mind. I knew no matter what happened, I would be OK. I could rest in His promises. That light worked until Stewart was completely well and strong. One night I went to turn it on, and it hasn’t worked since. I no longer needed a physical sign of His love. I was living it! My Shepherd was there to hold me close to His heart and give me comfort and peace.
John 10:27: “My sheep, hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” For as long as I can remember, I have known Jesus as my Savior and my Friend. Through my life stories, I have grown to know my Father’s love for me. I have learned to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice, and I have learned how to follow him. But like in my first story of the sheep, that spirit of adventure sometimes speaks louder and my plans seem better. Through it all, my Good Shepherd is always there for me! He gives me His Grace and righteousness. He makes me lie down in green pastures ( rest in Him). He restores my soul!
We want to thank Elaine Norrell for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 