HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Tiny feet

Scampering about,

Carry a wee one

Full of promise!

From such as this

Once was born

A Savior!

By Martha L Shaw ©2016

BE, THOU, LIKE THE CHILD

 

OH, those meddlesome weeds,

she said.

But to the child

all was beauty!

As the breeze

blew through my soul

I picked a yellow dandelion

and smiled!

 

By Martha L Shaw – © 2017

 

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4 ESV)

“He Spoke To His Sheep . . . “

“and the sheep got out their date books, scheduled a time to get together, and then at the appointed time sat at the round table and discussed how to interpret what they’d heard before voting on which action to take . . . ”  Was that it?

NO!  It wasn’t.  The sheep knew His voice.  They didn’t stop and think about it, they didn’t sleep on it, nor did they call the lead sheep to get permission to act on what He instructed them to do.  They followed Him.

This is huge.  There are several reasons I’m thinking of this just now.  My life has been “nuts” in some stressful ways for what seems a long time now . . .  close to five years.  I can see HUGE LIFE CHANGING BLESSINGS which I truly believe only came to me because of the HUGE SCARY “HELP ME JESUS” stuff that is also in the picture and not entirely resolved.

That being said, I truly do feel His presence, His love, and when I’m focused on Him I know He is leading me and has a plan.  People close to me sometimes seem to think their plan is the one.  They do not agree remotely on what their plan is.  They don’t think this sheep is listening too well.  They often seem pointedly urging me to change paths and disregard His instruction.

Well, I’m not living in a palace, surrounded by gold, or any of that.  But, thus far, I have not been tossed on the street begging for a crust of bread.  I still believe, when I’m not scared and cranky, that He has a plan and that it’s gonna happen and that He loves me and has something more than I could desire or pray for in store.  So, I shall pray, get scared, and pray some more . . .  and follow Him.

John 10:4

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

Let The Children

A child’s hand reaches,

Her eyes filled with wonder!

Her heart has wings!

By Martha L Shaw ©10-15-2015

Into His Hands

Bread in the oven,

dog’s asleep nearby.

The parrot’s talking in the livingroom

in her cage by the sunny window.

The house is quiet,

the family’s safe,

the weather mild.

Tomorrow’s worries have no place here.

By Martha L Shaw – ©  5-23-2015

Thoughts Over Morning Coffee

“Small children tend to grab life by the fistful. How sad that we grow into adults who recoil.” – from Thoughts Over Morning Coffee – Martha L Shaw

A Child’s Trusting Heart

The other day, at my part-time job, I was in a great deal of pain.  My job is very physical and I was working hard at smiling and reflecting Him but the pain threatened to bring tears.  I wrestled with this and was washing the floor by the drink station at work.  adjacent to this area is the door to the playground.  I suddenly realized a small boy of perhaps three years of age was outside, but not playing.  Instead, he was watching me mop the floor.  He opened the door and peering at the mop, asked “what are doing?” I responded “washing the floor.”  Keeping it simple, I wondered what he’d say next.  He then asked me why and I explained that someone had an “oops” and spilled something.  He came into the restaurant having lost sight of his mama.  He suddenly looked scared.  I saw her behind me ordering their lunch and pointed to her.  I then warned him to walk carefully as the floor might be a little slippery.  He stood very still then walked in a rather amusing way.  It was like a movie in slow motion.  lol  I saw the look of fear on his face, and said “do you want to hold my hand?”  He looked relieved and took it.  He reached his mom, reassured, he turned back to return to the playground.  This time he walked right up to me and extended his hand, knowing I’d take hold and walk him safely to the door.  He smiled and ran to the colorful slide.

I never did learn the small boy’s name.  I did, though, learn much from him.  Trust replaces fear with joy.  It really is that simple.

Not Prudent But Blessed?

We know how our Lord felt about children and also that He taught and still teaches us to be childlike.  Here is another interpretation on that very theme: 

The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation.

– Pearl S. Buck –

Love? Children Know It Best!

The law of love could be best understood and learned through little children.

– Mahatma Gandhi –

 

 

Luke 18:15-17

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

¹⁶ But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

¹⁷ Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.