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, October 23, 2010

Who Can Do?

Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, Gives to us and always will? Who was it, died, yet lives still? Nobody but my Lord.

Who was it hung upon a tree, suffered shame for you and me? Who was it, died to make us free? Nobody buy my Lord.

Who owns a mansion in the sky, Share it with us by and by? Take us to His home on high? Nobody but my Lord.

Who can do, who can do, who can do anything?
Nobody but my Lord and Master.
Who can do, who can do, who can do anything?
Nobody but my Lord and Master.     ~Sally Goodwin~

Many times I get caught up in life - simply "doing life".  Working so I can make ends meet and pay the bills, doing things for my kids and for myself that need to be done, committing to people, places, and situations, etc.  Sometimes I just need to stop and remind myself that I cannot do everything that I may want to do.  And one of the hardest realities for me is to realize  that there are some things, and some situations, that I cannot do anything about.  Not anything at all.  Even as much as I would like to step in and be "wonder-woman", "super-mom", or "Diana-dear" - I cannot do anything!  Some things only God can do! Who can do anything - nobody but my Lord and Master! The one that owns the cattle on a thousand hills, who loved us enough to die for our sins and yet still lives.  The same one that owns the mansion in the sky just waiting to share it with us by and by.  

Who is it that can do "anything"?  Yes, "anything"?  Do you really believe that He can do "anything"?  Who is it?  Well, believe me it is not me.  I am sometimes weak, weary, and worn out from my "doing life"!  And I know that my talents and my abilities just don't stretch far enough to do "anything"!

Do you have some "anythings" in your life that you just cannot do on your own?  Are there some "anythings" in your life that you are struggling with that you cannot understand or even explain? Does the road ahead of you look too steep to climb. Don't give up - "press on" and trust "The One" who can do "anything".

Just remember, what "We Cannot - God Can"!  
Who can do anything???
Nobody but my Lord and Master. . . "Jesus".
Put your trust Him today.
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