Learning to Love ... ME

Could there be two things that seem farther from each other?   Love is a warm cozy feeling that can make you feel as if your feet will never touch the ground.  You feel safe, comfortable with yourself; content, happy, giggles may even escape you because of the happiness that love gives you.  Fear causes you to be scared, unsure, lonely maybe; in danger…you may even feel sick to your stomach, sweaty, shake, and doubt yourself. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Sheep are timid animals by nature, so what is it that a shepherd does that can keep his flock in harmony and not afraid? Sheep are trusting animals and look to their shepherd to watch over them.  I read that there are four things that a sheep will do before it will lie down and be at rest.  1) They must be free from all fear; 2) free from friction of other sheep; 3) free from torment by flies and parasites and 4) free from hunger.  If a shepherd makes sure he’s covered all those with his flock then they will settle down and rest.  How you may ask will he take the fear away?  By being in the field along side the sheep daily, the sheep begin to trust and rest that the shepherd will keep the danger from them, and their fear goes away.  How will a sheep keep friction from others?  The sheep will simply move away, put distance between himself and the sheep that’s causing friction.  How will the sheep be free of torment by flies and parasites?  The shepherd will check to see that the parasites are cleared off the animals. The sheep will move and hope the fly doesn’t follow.  How will the sheep find food?  His master, the shepherd will take the flock to green pastures to feed. 

A good shepherd makes sure his flock has all they need to feel safe and free of fear.  When he does this, his flock in turns loves him for the safety they are given.  Don’t you feel safe with someone you trust?  Have you ever felt a gnawing in your stomach over someone that you love?  Have they’ve given you reason to doubt?  Could it be that as a sheep, your natural instincts are kicking in to alert you that something just isn’t right?   I believe we have those feelings because it’s God’s way of taking care of us.  He is our Shepherd the one who is lovingly watching over us.  Just know, “Where LOVE Is, Fear Is NOT.”  So when you allow love into your life, you should not fear it.  Let it happen and enjoy it.  If you get feelings gnawing in your stomach, pray to our Heavenly Father to guide you and to show you the way to go.  He is our Shepherd, and he will protect us.  We only need to put our trust in him.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Good Shepherd you are to us.  I thank you for the times you’ve guided me with gut instincts, you’ve spoken to me and told me that something wasn’t right and to take a step back.  I praise your name for the times I was awaken from sleep and sat upright in bed to pray for someone I knew was struggling.  Lord, you are there for me, and I pray that you will let your words, your strength flow through me to anyone that needs to know of You.  Lord, I have been blessed by you and I praise Your Holy Name.  Father, thank you for my family, my friends, neighbors and the person in line at a store, they are all gifts you’ve blessed me with. I pray that you put your hands on those that are sick of mind or body and heal them … In your time Lord I believe all the turmoil of my life will be settled.  I will put my faith in you.  In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray…Amen

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