LORD, how can I best feed Your sheep?

Feeding Your Sheep – Reflections by Ben

Seems to me that the best way to feed your sheep Lord is to be open to your Word to see and hear. Know Your Word and Share your Word and then listen to the hearts of those that you place me before. Through the years I’ve learned and am still learning that hearing the hearts of others opens channels of thought and communication that rarely are opened. Not only human to human communication but to hear your voice of encouragement.

Why Don’t People On The Other Side Of The Earth Fall Off?

This past weekend I was with our grandchildren, IKE (Ian, Kyri and Elijah) ) in an overnight campout in your country God.   The afternoon began with travels down the highway at 70 miles per hour, then off the beaten path through the small village of Spring Hope, North Carolina.  The winding country roads opened and in no time I was there. Yes, there! Green pastures, huge red roofed barn filled with tractors and equipment.   The other parallel barn loaded with the largest tootsie rolls of hay I’ve ever stood beside; friends gathering following a week of vacation bible school.   As I pulled into the drive, from around the corner of the house close to Peso the pony and Taco the Chihuahua came running our grandchildren Ian, Kyri and Elijah. Coming to see grandpa as I arrived. What a joy to receive their hugs. Then to learn that their batteries had gone down on their Nintendos.

The country side was huge and seemed endless on the knoll rising above all the land; eclipsed by the beauty of Your brilliant sunset bursting through the evening clouds. And then the moon, oh, I’ll take us there in a moment but first must share the joy of the family of believers. These people were so hospitable as they encouragement me to dine on the red hot dogs and chili, Yep right there by the open fire on that folding table that was tiling a little toward the long red roofed barn (not only filled with the tractors but the “watch out for stinger” thing. The stinger as I grew to understand was the electric fence charger that kept the cows and pony in the pastures and the children out of harm’s way. Unless of course either touched the stinger wire. Then POW and a yelp would follow.

Following dinner the children and I captured moments feeding Peso the pony. Small children as young as 2 and as old as 12 were pulling grass and hay form Your stockpile and feeding the beautiful brown pony, Peso. So gentle were the children and happy was Peso as he graciously chewed his new found food from his friends. The children continued to warn me of the stinger as the wires were much too close and a mistake could result in a big sting.
Time past and Peso was filled to the brim. Our grandson Ian had called me before I traveled to be with them and asked that I bring his stash of fireworks. He had gotten clearance from Robert whose land we were on that fireworks would be a great addition to the evening fun. Ian asked that I bring the step ladder along with the clamps that we had assembled to hold his grand finale creation on the top step.

Grandma had packed them in a large white ice chest for the trip. When Ian saw this he asked why the ice chest? Grandma had thoughtfully packed the fireworks there to keep them dry should rain fall and ruin them forever. Ian smiled as he pulled them from the chest, Kyri right by his side with wide eyed pleasure imagining the light show that was to occur on that July 3rd evening, centered in the pasture. We nudged Peso into the adjoining pasture, closed the gate and began to prepare for the light show. Ian would be center stage in the pasture that had just been Peso’s domain. Though Ian hadn’t said so, I could feel his delight in being the pyrotechnic star of the night. Much like Your rising stars Lord.

The light show began with the night sky closing in. Ian with his torch in hand and his new friend Malli close by holding the flashlight to see the fuse of the fireworks that led to the charge. All others, some safe distance beyond the three oak railed pasture gate waited excitedly for the show to begin. Fireworks began to fly, illuminating the sky and the crowd roared. The greater the applause, the more intent Ian was in giving the show of his life. Then, the finale. Yes, Ian created this by fusing together 15 or so rockets with about 3 seconds burn time between each rocket burst. The burn time for each rocket was about 10 seconds. The combined spew of fire, sparks and color filled the air for several minutes resulting in grand applause for the show and then night fell quickly.

That was the night bell to go to our tents and beds. All had selected their friends to share Your nighttime Lord. I had chosen to sleep in the bed of my truck near the tents between our grandchildren. Between the two huge barns and near the North end.   That’s where my truck found its rest.   The foam bed liner now in place, the sleeping bag on top and the lone sheet for comfort; that’s what drew me closer to bed time.  But, not so quick.   As I went down the moonlit path to say good night to our granddaughter Kyri,  I was surprised by the snore emitted by a truck.   Or was it?   No, it was just another of your children Lord sleeping in the back of his covered truck.  Not under the moon filled night with you alone as his only protection.  He had a roof.  That was OK. He was living in the shadows and doing well.   Or, so the snore would suggest.   Rounding the bend of the hay barn and those huge tootsie rolls I could see the camper in the muted light.  I could hear Kyri stirring and said “hi Kyri” and she responded.  I than said,  “Just wanted to say good night and I Love You.”   To my surprise and thrill I heard the voice of 3 small children in unison say,  I love you and all was quiet as I reflected and walked back along the path.   That was nice and surely would keep me warm during the night and early morning chill.

Then on to bed with my mind refreshing the events of the day and early evening. Yes, Kay had prepared me well. The charger for the boys Nintendo DS Lites. Fireworks, just right. Snacks and clothes for all to change into should the need arise and loving me and encouraging me during departure. How blest I am Lord in your incredible light. Your moon and stars to illuminate my path, loving family and friends and a truck to sleep on and in. Then the night sounds became clearer to me as I lay there under the sheet on top of the sleeping bag and foam. My baseball hat pulled down slightly as I whacked at the lone mosquito in the night air. Whack, got em! Thank you Lord for not sending any more my way.

Reflections of my visit with Robert who inhabits this land.  Did he mention coyotes, wolves and bears? Yes, but he assured me that none had bothered him or approached his home, that he knew of.   The wolves were brought in to control the rabbit population.  And the stories that raised my eyelids soon faded into night prayers of blessing and night dreams.  My ball cap pulled well over my eyes now to dim Your light from the moon.   Well into the night and close to 3 in the morning I heard your call Lord to walk the path and return to bed.   This time the air was much cooler and I snuggled into the sleeping bag with the dew dampened sheet covering all for continued shelter.  The moon was gone now and the stars glistening so close that I was certain that if I could reach out a little further,  they would be held tightly in my hand.   Prayers for safety were no longer needed as I felt your warmth close my eyes only to awaken to hear our grandson Ian calling me for breakfast.  He had waken early and quietly mentioned that my snoring was a little louder than he had hoped for.   We smiled and headed to the table where Robert’s wife Ms. Lorraine had prepared an ample supply.

What a wonderful night and time with our (Your) children Lord.   And then to hear Kyri ask the profound question, “Grandpa, why don’t the people on the other side of the earth fall off?”  As you may have guessed, this led to many other questions as I attempted to answer Kyri with more questions like… Oh, don’t they indeed?  Do you wonder if those people wonder why we don’t fall off the earth either?  I’m sure glad that the water stays in the oceans and rivers and streams on the other side.   Some talk of gravity and Quantum physics came to mind but ultimately I was drawn back to your Word in Genesis Chapter 1: 1 – 31.  We will certainly invest so much of our lifetimes trying to figure all this out as you Lord have created an inquisitive people.   But for me, I’m very comfortable with all you’ve placed your hand on. Thank you Lord for creating us so that we too may be co-creators with you.

Thankfully,

Your son, Ben