Week 239

Positive post Sunday, September 19, 2021- Week 239. 

I believe that God listens to us and communicates with us during the course of our daily lives, but we often fail to recognize it.  The quote below recently popped up on my Facebook memories page from several years ago.  I wrote it at a time in my life when I refused to give up hope that, with the Lord’s guidance and our open hearts, our lost sheep would find a path home.  

“Dan Rendler believes that if the shepherd doesn’t stop trying or give up hope and the other sheep open their hearts with forgiveness, the lost sheep will eventually choose the right path and find its way back to the flock and stay”.

As a man of faith, I don’t think this showed up on my Facebook feed as a memory by chance.  I see it as a heavenly message reminding me of how blessed we are that, with the grace of God, our lost sheep returned to our flock.  It was a timely and powerful reminder that the Lord listens to our prayers, and he acts at his will and on his timeline not ours.  It was timely as it popped up when I was planning my next PPS with a focus on thanking the good Lord for answering our prayers and returning our flock to fullness.  Thank you Lord, your humble servant was listening and is grateful.

Most of us are familiar with The Parable of the Lost Sheep, found in Luke 15:4-7.  The shepherd leaves many safe sheep to find the lost one.  Although the focus of the parable is on bringing the lost sheep back to the flock and closer to God, as I personally experienced, the journey of finding the lost sheep can bring the entire flock closer together and closer to our Lord.  

I am eternally grateful to the Lord, appreciative for the resiliency of my entire flock and thankful to our extended family and friends.  With their prayers, encouragement and support, our family has been reunited and we are all closer to God.

Our journey has certainly not been without significant pain, hardship and sacrifice and it will continue to require our lifelong attention.  I’m also keenly aware that not all sheep return to their flocks.  My deepest prayers are with the shepherds of those flocks who have lost sheep that have gone before us.  For those whose sheep are still astray, I’m hopeful they keep the faith, remain filled with hope and keep an open door and heart, for with God’s grace, their sheep may someday find their way back.

Have you had a lost sheep return to your flock?  Have you given ample thanks to the Lord?

Do you have a lost sheep missing from your flock?  Is your door and heart still open for their return?

Are you remaining vigilant in your prayers, asking the good Lord to guide them back to you safely?