Answers...

Do you ever struggle during your quiet time, struggle to figure out what Paul is talking about and how it relates to you? That’s where I was last night, trying not to let my mind wander, but trying to stay focused on what I was reading, but it was a struggle. I stopped, prayed for help in focusing, for help from the Holy Spirit to get something out of what I was reading, and I started again, still not really getting all that Paul was saying. And then there it was, the part that was meant for me last night. The part that made me stop and think, about recent conversations with friends, about how I’m living my life, about my priorities, and about blessings from God, not material blessings, but those huge blessings offered to all Christians.

2 Corinthians 3:15-18


15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

There I had just asked the Spirit to help me focus, to show me something, and what is just a bit down the page, how the Spirit provides us freedom, what a blessing… how we can be transformed into Christ’s image. That’s what I want to be. Glory be to God for answered prayers and His Word that helps me focus and reset my mind.

Lesson from the Pastures...

You know the Bible references sheep often. I saw a verse this week in one of my daily emails, and deleted it. Now I wish I hadn’t, but it was talking about us being sheep, and Jesus being our shepherd. I am a farm girl, raised on a farm, love the farm, still own calves, and spent Sunday night moving calves from one pasture to another. While I’m no expert on sheep, I do have a lot of cattle experience, and I’ve been thinking about that verse ever since I deleted it. Calves don’t know things that I do, that’s why I need to be in charge and they need to listen. I want them to be in fields that have enough grass and have full ponds, but there are always those calves that don’t want to cooperate, that want to try to run off or stay where they are. Normally, I win, but when they don’t cooperate, it’s only harder for both of us. I’m like one of those obstinate calves, the kind I want to send to the stockyard and sell. I want to stay where I am, I want to do things my own way, and I think I know best, when truly, my farmer, Jesus, knows the better plan. He knows things I don’t know. He knows where the full ponds are, and where there is plenty of grass. Why do I continually think my way is better, that if I could just have my way, things would be fine. I guess because I’m dense, and sometimes have the understanding and foresight of a calf. I can’t see more than the grass in front of my face. Thankfully, Jesus has unending patience and love, and he doesn’t send me to the stockyard for slaughter. He keeps guiding, keeps nudging, keeps trying to steer me to the right pasture.



Jeremiah 29:11 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


Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight


Today my prayer is to submit, to quit relying on what I know, and instead be lead to the hope and future the Lord has for me. I pray the same for you, too!