* Note: It is my honor and privilege to write for (in)courage today. Thank you for reading me there!
I don’t even know where to begin. I’m about to leave my children in the care of someone else for a few days while I sneak away for a much-needed weekend with my husband and yet, I don’t know how to communicate the necessary information that make my children well,…my children.
Will I forget to mention that Spencer is afraid of thunder and the only meat he will eat are hot dogs and cold cuts? Will I forget to add the fact that Samuel can’t stand the sound of the vacuum cleaner? Will I neglect to share that though she is about to start Kindergarten, Sarah still must have her bunnies when she sleeps? That she gets incredibly emotional when she is tired? You know, the little things that only a mother knows.
As I am contemplating how to communicate this without sounding like a completely neurotic mother, I am stopped by a moment of clarity. This is exactly how Jesus knows us. Each and every one of us.
In her book Scouting the Divine, Margaret Feinberg describes a shepherdess she visited as being able to identify individual sheep by the noises they produced. Yes, each sheep had a particular way of saying “baa” and the shepherdess knew which ones were making which sounds even while her back was turned to them. She could say “Dolly, I hear you! Your food is coming!” or “Daisy, just minute! I’ll help you soon!” simply by hearing their cries.
Click here to read the rest of this article at (in)courage. Thank you for reading, dear friends!
I’m also linking up with Michelle from “Lost in the Prairies” and the “Company Girls” with Rachel Anne at Home Sanctuary! Go and visit, go and visit!
Congratulations Natalie. Will you be writing for (In) courage regularly. I’ll keep my eye out for your articles. This message was great. I love the verse you chose -I know my sheep and my sheep know me. It’s a great reminder that we ALL know God and that we choose whether we accept Him or we ignore Him. We all face those consequences, good or bad, with that acceptance.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness – Tag Your It!! =-.
Thanks, Michelle! No, I’m a guest writer today. I would LOVE to be a regular contributor and of course, if they ask, I absolutely will accept! In the meantime, I am starting to be a regular contributor at Internet Cafe Devotions.
Thanks for reading and commenting, dear one!
I love this picture of the shepherd in the Bible, it is one of my favorite…that He knows each one, and they know Him. It reminds me of one of my favorite children’s books. I read it aloud to my kids not long ago, called “The Tanglewood’s Secret. It is ana mazing book about this very thing!
Thanks for sharing, have a great week!
.-= Star´s last blog ..Coffee TalkSeptember Recap =-.
It’s encouraging to remember at those times in prayer when I’m struggling to express what I feel that He knows already – better than I know myself. And isn’t that one of the primary human desires – to be fully known?
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Company Girl coffee 100110 =-.
Yes, it is. I’m always baffled by this as well, Diane. I really have no idea well He knows me and I don’t think we ever will on this side.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I really needed this reminder today. My son, a law officer committed a crime. He plead guilty and has been sentenced to twenty years . .this has been a heartbreaking time for my husband and me. I still can’t believe it happened, Anyway, he has been housed at the local jail and will be moved sometime soon to a prison (not nearby because he will need to be in protective custody) (possibly today). . .and I have been praying constantly that God put him in the right facility, where there are Christian inmates, men who will guide him and help him learn how to survive there, Christian guards and doctors . . .and I remind myself (probably 25 times a day) that God loves my son more than I ever could, that God is in control. But today’s post reminds me(and comforts me) . .He is the Good Shepherd – -He hears my voice and my son’s voice. He will protect us, guide us because He knows what is best. Thank you for the reminder – you brought some peace into my life today!
Oh, dear Susan. As soon as I read this, I stopped to pray for your son, your family, and you – as a mother myself, I know you are feeling this deeply. I wish I could take this pain from you but since I cannot, please know that I will be fervently praying the same things you are – that God surround him with Christians, that this will be a period of healing and restoration, and that he will walk deeper with God and feel His love. Remember that no sin is too great for God to forgive and regardless, your son is loved immensely by Him. He is precious and God knows him well.
Thank you for your transparency today and again, I am praying, praying, praying.
It is so comforting to know Jesus knows my inner thoughts before I even think them. Thank you for your words today. Have a wonderful time away with your husband!
As always…truly inspirational…and I’M NOT JUST SAYIN’ THAT! Smiles and much love to you for the weekend!!
.-= Bobbi´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness- Showing Signs =-.
Beautiful analogy, Dear One! Beautifully said, beautifully written, beautiful reminder.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Halfway =-.
This was great, Natalie! Sometimes I need to be reminded of how much Jesus knows and loves us. Blessings!
.-= Cindy Swanson´s last blog ..Flashback Friday- The Toys of Childhood =-.
Jen, I can’t wait to read the rest…clicking over now!
.-= Amy Sullivan´s last blog ..My Thin Place =-.
My favorite lesson to my sunday school kids is the one you mentioned. I really believe God wants to TALK to us and COMMUNICATE with the children and us His BIG kids…
thanks soooo much.
I hope to visit you again…I am so busy with the kids I don’t do this much but again…thanks!!
.-= Lois of HisFireKids´s last blog ..WFW &ndash Twins Re-dedication Service on Coast of Maine- TEACHING THEM HIS WAYS&hellip&hellip =-.