The Shepherd and the Lambs
One by one the lambs
are leaving through the gate
they’re old enough to choose
and make their own mistakes
~
One by one the lambs
have wandered far afield
they’re old enough to know
to Whom their hearts should yield
~
One by one the lambs
have succumbed to lies
though they’d been warned
of forsaking all that’s wise
~
One by one the lambs
are bleating in dismay
they’re suffering with thirst
because they’ve lost their way
~
One by one the Shepherd
reaches with His crook
and gently rescues each lamb
to bring them to His Brook.
~
Wendy/ 2015
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God is so good.
~
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In the same way
your Father in heaven
is not willing
that any of these little ones
should be lost.
Matthew 18:14
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There are no grandchildren in God’s family. Each of us must come to Him one by one. We don’t inherit our salvation through our parents, we come to the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ alone.
God’s got our parenting back. He’ll lead our lambs home. Our job is to trust and obey.
And pray.
This week I was super-duper blessed by an article in the Focus on the Family magazine, Thriving. It featured Max Lucado’s daughter, Andrea Lucado. She shared about “Approachable Parenting”. She talked about how she rebelled in her teen years and ultimately returned as her parent’s sincere faith, grace and prayers remained steady during her unsteadiness.
Her testimony reminded me no family is perfect because we’re all sinners in need of a Savior.
Have you read my latest post on Wendy L. Macdonald about 5 Fabulous Phrases that Can Save a Parent’s Sanity ? I hope to see you there. I’ve added the link to Andrea’s article at the end of it.
Is autumn coloring your corner of the world?
Good Shepherd Blessings ~ Wendy
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I’ve linked this post with one of my blog friends, Janis Cox.
She is also a Canadian Christian writer.
~
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What a beautiful promise to parents. Such hope. Such stillness in the midst of disillusionment and disappointment.
Thank you too for the beautiful pictures and yes…autumn is definitely colouring the corner of my world and I am basking in it all.
Thank you, Diane. Your part of Canada sure knows how to dress up its trees. I haven’t been there, but I’ve seen pictures–so beautiful. Enjoy. 🙂
Hope you’ll come and take it all in some day – it’s absolutely stunning.
I hope to travel across Canada. So far I’ve only made it as far as Saskatchewan.
Me too. Chris and I tried out for Amazing Race Canada because we wanted to see this beautiful country coast to coast but we didn’t get in. We’ve thought about cycling across but I’m not sure we’d make it. 🙂
Plan C is to figure out Plan C!
With all the pictures I’d want to take along the way, the Lord would return before I’d reached the Atlantic (and I wouldn’t have to ride home).
Beautiful images Wendy.
Thank you, Don. Like you, I never tire of trees. 🙂
I am often comforted by the passage about the 99 sheep. My children are grown (27 and 21 years old). Now the Lord has blessed me with more “children” through my job. I am very grateful.
Theresa, you remind me of the Proverb’s woman, and I imagine all your children are blessed by you. Keep shining His Love, dear friend.
How glorious, both the photos and the narrative!
Thank you, Cindy. I’m honored as you always showcase nature so beautifully on your blog.
Love your wonderful fusion of bits of thoughts and gorgeous fall photos.
Thank you, Charlie. It’s been a nice autumn on the West Coast.
Beautiful message. I absolutely love the first photo.
Thank you, dear Cheryl. Every year I try to get a shot of this spot. 🙂
This brought tears and such encouragement Wendy! Thank you and God bless you!
Thank you, dear Debbie. I wrote it as a devotional for me and then decided to share it. xo
Great photos and message, dear Wendy. I’m so glad the Lord is such a good Shepherd. I once was lost but now I’m found, as the song says. Love and hugs, N 🙂 <3
Thank you and amen, Natalie. “I once was blind and now I see.” xo
Wendy,
Fall is my favorite time of the seasons, just for that reason…the changing colors of Autumn. Isn’t it amazing how spring will bring a single hue of greens (like with Maple’s) and fall will array it’s colors of orange, yellows and coppers on the same tree! God is truly the Master Artist. Thank you for being so intuitive to the beauty around you, it blesses my heart. ~Zoey
Thank you, dear Zoey. We just came in from a nature walk, and I said to my husband that autumn makes the ordinary extraordinary. I agree God’s “truly the Master Artist”. I’m beyond curious what else He’s been busy creating behind the scenes. Blessings.
So glad to be your neighbor today at Sunday Stillness… beautiful thoughts along with gorgeous photos! You blessed me tonight!
Pam, thank you for stopping by. I just visited your lovely blog, and I was deeply touched by your post. And you are so talented at portraits too. Blessings, neighbor.
Beautiful poem about the lambs–and us! How blessed we are to have a shepherd!
Thank you, Carol. Yes, we are blessed indeed. God is gracious and good. It’s nice to meet you.
Loved the photos, loved the Words/words how you shared. Bless you and thank you.
Thank you, Joanne. I enjoy putting pictures and Words/words together. Nice to meet you on the Sunday Stillness post. 🙂
Hi Wendy,
Your first photo is absolutely breathtaking. The other one is gorgeous too. So glad we have the Good Shepherd to guide us. And yes, God is so good. Hope you’re weekend was wonderful. 🙂
Thank you, dear Tracy. Yes, my weekend was wonderfully full of nature outings. I hope you’re getting opportunities to enjoy autumn too. xo
Hi Wendy-Lee! 🙂
I would so love to go through a walk in that park! Way too beautiful for words.
They grow, then one day we have to say goodbye and hope that everything we taught them pays off.
Much love to you. Hugs Paula xxx
Thank you, dear Paula. You don’t need to ward off snakes in our woods. But we do have bears and cougars. I’d love to take you for a walk in any of our parks. xo
OMG! Bears and cougars. Not sure if I prefer snakes now! Lol I would love to walk in your parks. Hope your having a good day, Wendy! xxxx
No grandchildren in God’s family. Cool.
🙂 An oldie but a goodie.
Lovely and comforting words Wendy.
Thank you, dear Kath. 🙂
This is so lovely, Wendy. Parents need this kind of positive reinforcement.
Thank you, dear Cynthia. I’m having some trouble leaving comments on other blogs today. I’m wondering if they’re landing in people’s spam boxes. I’ll come by and try again. Your post today reminded me of my own living room. My osteoarthritis likes to scold me the day after I do anything adventurous. I only listen to its warnings when it comes to housework. 😉
What a wise woman you are. The problem with housework – which always surprises me — is that it never stays done.
So true, Cynthia. Could you please check your spam queue and see if my recent comment on your blog is in it? I tested this out on my husband’s dormant blog and sure enough my comment ended up in his spam box. If enough people notice and click not spam, then Akismet will stop blocking me. This happened to me once before. 🙂
I’ll do it now. At least, I hope I remember how….
I had to show my husband how, which felt pretty good since he’s a techie guy. Dashboard–go to comments which is between Pages and Feedback. At the top is listed various things, including Spam. If there’s a zero next to the Spam, then it’s empty. Otherwise click on Spam and it will show you comments in it. This is where you can approve comments or trash the ones that are obviously spam. Hope this helps. I found several in Hubby’s spam bin. 🙂
Yup, I did go — and had to search among all the blocked porn sites that the Spam filter caught, thank goodness – but finally, there you were. I immediately unblocked you. Ya gotta stop hanging out with such unsavoury types, Wendy. (big smile) I hope your weekend goes well.
Ha ha. 🙂 The only “birds and bees” watching I’m into are the G-rated ones you find in the garden or nature parks. Thank you, sweet friend, for getting me out of spam jail. xo
Spam jail. I like that.