Going about my everyday…. I didn’t expect to learn something so powerful from sheep! It was worth pondering. Soul stretching. I hope that as I share, you too will be edified.
Today was an ordinary day, with some major curveballs. That has been happening a lot lately. One things is for sure, I feel that my stewardship of motherhood is of the utmost importance. Because of this, I am very dilligent at infusing truth, light and learning into everyday activities. I also believe that the most important thing we do all day is connect to God. This is sacred time and I have seen the unity and power it brings to my life as we make it a top priority. It’s more important than food, than sleep, than anything. Today was busy and turned out very much unlike my plan. At the end of the day, I gathered my children and we had some gospel discussion. Little did I know the powerful lesson I would learn from sheep!
THE JOURNEY
In our famliy scripture study this week we are learning about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. We discussed the various parts of the parable. We drew pictures and discussed them. We talked about how Jesus is the way and if we follow His voice He will lead us safely home.
We had our prayers and decided to watch some awesome things on YouTube to finish off our family evening.
I decided to look up a video of the sheep following the shepherd to see if they really wouldn’t follow just anyone, but really knew their shepherd.
I found this amazing video that stirred my soul. I invite you to watch it, then continue reading for what I learned.
THE PONDERING
It was amazing to me that no matter where the sheep were, when they heard the voice of the shepherd that they left what they were doing and they came to him. Not only did they come to him, but they RAN to the Shepherd.
This got me posing some questions that I hope you too will find beneficial to your life journey:
- Do I know the voice of the Shepherd?
- Do I exctiedly run to Him? (for scripture time, prayer, FHE, gospel study, to be on time for Sacrament meeting, to invite the Spirit to be in my home?)
- Am I too busy to stop what I am doing to hear His voice?
- Do I know His voice and choose to go away?
- Am I so tuned to the voice of the Shepherd that I can tune out the voices of the world that will seek to call me away from Him?
MORE SEARCHING
Here is another cool video to show the difference of what happens when others call and the Sheep have decided to follow their shepherd.
Further Insights
It reminds me of an amazing talk I love to listen to with my family. It’s a presentation by Hank Smith. He speaks about a sheep that had avoided the shepherd for so long (6-7 years – 60+ lbs of wool!) that he was carrying much more weight than was needed. The burden I’m sure made it hard to walk, hard to see, hard to function. Had he just come to the shepherd he could have been relieved of his burdens long ago and never would they have piled up to be so heavy. Here is a video of a similar story that had even more to think about. Of course, I have more ponderings on that as well.
- Have I been hiding from the shepherd?
- Do I avoid things I know are for my best good? (healthy food, going to bed early, connecting with people, studying scripture, saying my prayers?)
- Am I carrying physical, emotional, spiritual weight that has served it’s purpose and is ready to be let go?
- What burdens could be lifted if I were to choose to go to the Shepherd?
- How long do I want to carry this burden? He is ready to relieve me of it, as soon as I will ask Him.
A few other cool things that stuck out to me:
- Once being relived of the burdens that weighed him down… he felt a bit out of place, unsure, and uneasy
- Quickly that passed and the one now free of the burden felt light and free to be his joyful self.
- Coming to Jesus and allowing Him to heal us creates a mighty change in our hearts.
I could probably go on and on…. This I do know. Jesus Loves YOU. He loves me. He wants us all to follow Him and find more joy and peace and happiness than can be found by any of the worldly philosophies. The things of God don’t always make sense to the mortal brain. They are not supposed to. The things of God are higher and holier. Our mortality limits this understanding and we must learn with our Spiritual senses. The spirit of God will witness truth to our heart and help us to come unto Him. We must simply choose it. Everything changes the moment you choose.
Yes, it takes work. Yes, you will need to consistently remind yourself of the choice to follow the Master. There may be pain, sorrow, sickness, grief…. it’s almost certain as part of mortality. This I can testify, that no matter the hardship you are called to endure – It is easier and a more joyful path when you are yoked with Jesus Christ. He makes our burdens light and brings peace to our soul. Miracles happen everyday. Gratitude and sincere prayer tune your heart to see, feel, hear and know of God’s will for your life!
This is my journal that I made to help those who are seeking to better hear His voice and be an instrument in His hands…. follow it and watch the miracles flow!
HONEST CONFESSION
I’ve had so many times over the years that I think “Wow! That’s awesome! I want to blog about that!” then I don’t. I have been blessed with the gift of faith and a perspective on the world that I didn’t realize was so unique. I see lessons and goodness everywhere and I want to share them with you.
I am committed to do better at writing and sharing them.
Please do subscribe so you will get the updates and cool things I love to send out. (working on consistency there too…. I am a human learning as I go, just like you. I trust in the right time I’ll get on top of all this tech stuff)
Just in case I don’t get this out in email as soon as I’d like…. Please check out this amazing project I’ve been working on with some amazing people. You can check it out and join the beta for free if it calls to you. When you join you will get access to my “Living a Consecrated Life” Course that is all about helping people to follow Jesus and fulfill their unique purpose in preparing the world to welcome Him back! It is my soul- hold it tenderly. I’d love to be a support on your journey.
(seriously… if someone wants to donate some amazing talent for SEO or to make my dreams for this site amazing, please email me!)
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New to Jesus? Want to learn more? Come Unto Christ and be made whole!
Image Credit: Shepherd- Free-Photos from Pixabay
