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.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Blessings in floods, sickness, heartache & hurt


We look around us today and see water seeping up all around us in basements, roadways, parking lots - it seems to be everywhere.  But what we don't seem to always see is the blessings in a time of flood!  Can there be some blessings in all of this?? One thing I have sensed as I have cleaned out the basement (in case the water comes in) and as I have sorted through things upstairs - I have realized that I have a lot of "STUFF"!!  Some of it I cherish but I must say that there is a lot of it that really doesn't matter!!  As I sort out what means something to me, send things to the Goodwill, and toss other stuff, I'm reminded of what is really important in life!  What are the things that bring blessings and peace?  Family, friends and my God - everything else is just "stuff".  I realize that "hope" makes a big difference in life. 
"Hope opens doors where dispair closes them. Hope draws its power from deeply trusting god and what he does to change people's lives. Hope lights a candle instead of "cursing the darkness." Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities. Hope cherishes no illusions, but it does not yield to cynicism or despair." -source unknown
Whatever we are experiencing in life I challenge you to look for "your blessings".  Sometimes our blessings come in ways we never expect.  We are going through a time of flooding along the Missouri River, as the water inches it's way closer and closer to my house. We have detours because of the flood waters. We see the results of water way beyond the banks of the Missouri River engulfing farm land, houses, etc. Can there be any blessings in all of this??  I have a God that will help me find "my blessings" - if I put my hope and trust in Him! 

I recently heard this song by Laura Story - "Blessings" and it made me think about the circumstances of my own life. The things that have come across my path down through the years.  I realized that through each instance I can look back and see some blessings - some I didn't even realized at the time I was going through them!  But now I see the blessings - beyond my circumstances!  Read the words of this song and realize the question Laura poses in this awesome song . . .
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise


We pray for wisdom, your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise


When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
It is a great comfort to know that God has His hands on the steering wheel of the universe!

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