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.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Would it Matter?

Posted: 12 Nov 2014 05:43 PM PST
You-Matter
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you have ever doubted yourself or believed you aren’t enough, this is for you.
If you have ever lost hope, this is for you.
If you have ever thought you couldn’t last one day longer, this is for you.
If you have ever prayed this prayer, this is for you.

The prayer
What if I didn’t wake tomorrow, would anybody miss me?
What if I kept my words to myself, would anybody care?
Would it matter if I wasn’t here?
Sometimes the world feels so large and I feel so small.
The dreams that once kept me awake now haunt me because some may never come true.
Why does it seem like everyone is better than me?
Why does it seem like I will never get it right?
What if I didn’t wake tomorrow, would anybody miss me?
Would it matter?

The answer
Yes, it would matter.
Everything you do has a ripple effect that touches the people around you. Even in your darkest hour, your presence has the ability to offer hope.
It could be the smile you offer or an act of kindness you do, but understand this – you matter.
You matter because you’ve been given gifts no one else has.
You matter because you were created with God’s love.
You matter because you were made to remind others how to be strong, be faithful and never give up.
So, don’t you give up now.
Because you matter.
by 
www.The BridgeMaker.com
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