Graze: To feed on growing grasses.



The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

-Ps. 23:1-6

Growing up on a farm, I used to watch the cows, sheep & horses graze in the pasture. Each morning we would open the gate to the barnyard and they knew there was freedom from that small pen they were in. They also knew there was nice green grass beyond the barnyard. Once the gate was open, look out because those animals wanted to get where the tall, green grass grew – the pasture! They would take off sometimes even running up the old fenced lane that went up over the hill through the cornfield to the lush green pasture on the other side of the farm. There they would graze for a while then lay down and rest for a while then graze some more. They did this all day long. Come evening we would go over to the pasture’s edge and call the cows – 'come boss, 'come boss. They would gather at the pasture gate. Sometimes we would have to go round up a few stragglers and when all were accounted for, we’d open the lane gate and back over the hill they would go to the barnyard for the night. The next morning was the same routine, day after day. What a life, huh?!

Oh that we could just graze and rest in shady green pastures all day long! But we can rest and graze in God’s green pastures and restore our souls . . . The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (Ps. 23:1) I believe God wants us to slow down and “rest” and “graze” and “feed” on His Word. Life throws so many things our way and we are so busy – busy doing good things. But are we running on empty a good share of the time? Are we feeling stretched to extreme? Are we content with who we are in God’s divine providence? Slow down and take some time to just leisurely graze, rest a while, then graze and feed on the good things God has provided for you. Graze, rest, and enjoy the “shady green pastures” of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Early Morning

This morning I woke up early and decided to get my walking out of the way since I had a busy day ahead of me. I find that when I am busy and put it off until "later" sometimes before I know it, it is "to late" and I'm too tired!! I'm off to a good start today since I already have my daily walk behind me. I can check that off of my "to-do list" for the day.



I must say, it was a beautiful morning walk! Full of sights, sounds, and smells. It was still semi-dark out when I left the house. You know how it looks just before the sun actually rises - a yellowish-light glowing across the sky. I had noticed the clouds in the sky and then looked down at the sidewalk. I have found that it is good to watch out for crooked, uneven, and broken sidwalks!! I just looked up when I noticed something flying overhead and heard the "honking" noise of geese. Wow! There were about 30 geese flying very low in their "V" formation! By the time I pulled my phone out of my pocket to take a picture, it was too late. They were gone. A couple blocks on down the way I saw another group of them but they were flying much higher than this first group. What a sight that was for starting my day!



I also love all of the lilac bushes and the flowering trees that are in bloom right now. Purple, pink and white. They are just beautiful and the fragrance is absolutely wonderful! These are scattered all over my "walking route" and most definately blessed me with not only the beautiful colors but the sweet smelling fragrance of God's special blend of perfume. Better than any perfume that AVON sells!!!! (Don't tell AVON I said that!!) LOL! The blossoms have been beautiful but I noticed they are falling quickly to the ground making way for nice green leaves - especially with the last few breezy days we have had. Under one particular tree it actually looked like snow covering the ground!!



Many houses were still dark but gradually by the end of my nice, peaceful, quiet walk, more and more houses lit up and more and more cars began making their way into the streets.

A new day was underway. Life and activity had surfaced and begun all around me. As I finished up my last block and walked up onto the porch, the sun had indeed risen and cast it's sunshiny rays of light down upon this place called earth - down upon "my world"! Now to go in and sit down to a nice hot cup of coffee and look at my "to-do-list" for the day.
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