"And those who are happy to be sheep, and who hear the voice of the Great Shepherd calling them, and who follow him as their only hope, and trust in his sacrifice on their behalf—those sheep are now, and always will be, more than sheep. They are children of God (1 John 3:1), heirs of the universe (Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 3:20-23), co-rulers with the King of kings (Revelation 3:21), the bride of Christ (John 3:29; Revelation 21:9), shining like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43)." ~John Piper...Desiring God
I usually find it very UN funny that I am now raising a little "lover of details"...Yes, my sweet Emmer-bean doesn't just look like her MomE...she is very much like me in temperment as well. Poor child.
As I strive to raise her in "the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Eph.6:4....I find my own heart growing and changing too. As I've said before...I never expected the incredible spiritual lessons I would be given through child rearing.
So, my ears perked up when I heard my Pastor explain a certain part of Psalm 23 yesterday. We are working through the many names of God...and I mean MANY! This series could be LOOONNG!
The Lord is my....SHEPHERD! Some things were obvious...pastures green are the provision for physical needs and wants; what is needed and necessary. He provides spiritual growth and direction by leading us on good paths.
But when Pastor explained vs. 4...the shadow of death...he said, "we can want all the details but we know His desire is for our growth...for us to move towards righteousness...to be more like Christ." I must stop to smirk at this point...cuz it was one of those times where you feel like your Pastor is really talking about just you...and it's embarassing. LOL...of course he's not necessarily...but he does know my control tendancies so I guess it's possible...
So, those of us who are "lovers of details" can keep wishing and hoping but there are certain things we know about God's plans. He knows what He has planned for us..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11
...and He is with us. "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Duet. 31:8
He might need to use his rod and staff to correct and keep me on the path...but it's out of His great LOVE...and even if I don't know the details I can just stick close to Him ...through prayer and His Word...and He will comfort and lead me in the way I should go!
Hopefully, I can teach my daughter these things about this GREAT SHEPHERD that I love...
16 comments:
Beautiful...and you will. She'll learn right by your side. I raised one who is all into the details. As I see her strive for balance with her four sweet ones I see the circle of life, one generation gaining wisdom for the next. It's awesome, this wisdom from God.
Oh, Bobbi. Do you know I think God has taught me far more through my children than anything else. Sometimes, my heart just didn't want to receive it, but because He is merciful, I finally got the messages, sometimes many times over.
I'm praying for both of us that we would get swept up in the love and that the details would pale in comparison.
I can identify with Emmer-bean and you. I definitely like to know the details--but thank God that even when He doesn't reveal the details to us, He's still guiding us in a good path!
And he is a good shepherd. He uses his rod and staff gently! Your children will learn from your life as well as your words.
I am a 'lover of details' also. I have to read that passage from Jeremiah often to remind myself that the details are there, I just don't know them yet. Thanks
Count me in the crowd of detail-lovers too. I have one daughter who is just like me, and another daughter who is the opposite.
My husband is the opposite too, which makes it hard when I have to depend on him for certain things. ha. I have to restrain myself from taking over, and just learn to go with the flow.
Sometimes the details just don't matter, especially when we know that God is in control anyway!
I understand the detail thing-I get caught up in the detail of the cleaning process. Ugh! Often times, I wish I could forget about details and just focus on the journey. I think I would enjoy the walk more, and maybe notice the important details that God wants me to notice, instead of the petty ones.
Oh yes, the details! Thankfully, oh yes Jeremiah 29:11 and Deut. 31:8! Such good reminders for us detail people:)
I am chuckling a bit because over at the High Calling we are talking about noticing details too. We are reading Luci Shaw's book, Breath for the Bones, and this week she talks about paying attention to the little things; about how that is close to God's heart. Of course, we can take anything to the extreme, but isn't it just like our Good God to show me these two sides of the same thing today?
Really enjoyed this post. :)
I think I, too, have learned more and been convicted more through dealing with my children than almost anything else.
I like to know the details, too, and it's hard to just trust when we don't know them -- but thankfully He is fully trustworthy.
yes, my kids have brought out both the very best and the very worst in me. . . but through it all i have learned and grown more than i would have without them. enjoy the chances for learning :-)
great write!
Lover of details? Who me? Uh-huh.
Hi Bobbi. :-) I'm a bit of a control freak too! And it is really frustrating when things don't go the way I want them to be. But then I am only human and there are events that are definitely beyond my control, and I guess this is where God steps in. :-)
@ Irene: Actually, God is in control ALL of the time...and it helps when I recognize that earlier on in the process!
Well said. And I hope that I am living out my faith and showing my teenage boys God's love. God Bless!
Love studying the names of GOD...yep, you'll be at it awhile:)
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