Let God Take Care of the Sheep...

Hallie at the Manger

Christmas is always such a busy time for me as I'm sure it is for you.  Added to my usual daily "to do" list of caring for many sheep, rescue cats and dogs, a 34-acre farm, old house, etc. my Internet business booms at this time of year and everyone must have their order before Christmas--regardless of when they place it. It's easy to feel overextended, tired and wishing it was all over with. 

In my heart and mind I want to celebrate Christmas with as much joy and anticipation as when I was a child and could swear I heard Santa on the roof. But instead, I seem to anticipate a much needed rest instead of the arrival of the Christ Child and all His coming meant and means to the world today.

Each year I "wait" for Christmas to happen in me and it always does.  It may come when I hear an  unexpected Christmas Carol that sparks a warm memory from past Christmases or it could even be a card from a friend updating me on all the happenings in their family that year.

This year I was beginning to think I was just too tired for Christmas to happen in me.  Until today, when some wonderful ladies from my church led the precious children in a Christmas presentation featuring angels with halos (some were crooked), little shepherd boys in bathrobes, and Mary and Joseph--both young children themselves.  Of course, there was also Jesus who "Mary" (my little friend Melissa) told me before their presentation was really her sister Hallie's baby doll named Toby.

As the children sang I could feel my heart filling with joy and anticipation as I waited for Mary and Joseph to take their place beside Jesus in the stable.  As Mary and Joseph made their way to Jesus  tears started to fill my eyes and Christmas came to my heart. Such a simple thing, but so profound...a stable, a baby--Emmanuel--God with us!

Then one of the little shepherd boys said, "Let's go see Jesus, God will take care of the sheep".  Take care of the sheep?  Yes, He will.  Yes, He does. Though I literally care for sheep I realized in that moment I also have many other "sheep" (things) I feel I must care for--things that cause me to stress and not fully enjoy the life God has given me.  Things I don't let God handle, areas in my life I want control of, things that keep me from allowing Christmas to happen in me every single day. Things that take my focus off  going and seeing Jesus.

If I keep my focus on the "sheep" in my life, instead of on Jesus, then I don't need God, I don't need the manger or the promise that God will never leave or forsake me--that He will be there and help me no matter what life brings.

But if I go see Jesus every day and let God take care of my "sheep", my life would truly be His instead of mine. And that's how it's supposed to be.

Merry Christmas to you all!  I'm going to go see Jesus and let God take care of my "sheep".  Will you join me?



Shepherdess Blog   
December 22, 2012
Copyright 2012 Jackie Deems


Thanks to Julie, Jen, Anne, Sherry, Geoff, Nate, the children and everyone else who helped Christmas happen in me today!

Hallie is pictured next to the manger with Jesus, played by Toby her baby doll.






 

Lost Children...

Their likenesses do not appear on grocery store milk cartons.  Their young, innocent faces will not be seen on homemade posters in convenience stores.  Their parents will not wait for long anxious hours by the phone--pleading to God for word, any word, that their precious child has been found.

For their children have been lost. Not to a kidnapper or child custody battle gone awry.  Their children have been lost in car accidents, to terminal illness, suicide, murder, drug overdoses, through miscarriage, stillbirth and a myriad of other happenings that don't immediately make sense--and probably never will.

Words uttered to the parents by others, "He's in Heaven now," "It's God's will, you know," "All things work together for good..." pierce the very armor that has already begun to encompass their shattering hearts.  And they try, really try, to understand something that cannot ever be explained to a soul forever seared by grief.

For not only was their child lost--so was their future and all the images and hopes and dreams that go along with raising beloved children who were supposed to outlive them.

And so they dream...

Make believe children are bundled into woolen scarves and hats and mittens. Imaginary sleds drag heavily behind children snow pixies. The faint scent of wet wool and hot chocolate with marshmallows follows the sodden pathway of excited bundles of energy with red cheeks and noses and so many stories to tell.  And in the darkness when all is still, ghosts of snow angels flicker in the moonlight over diamond-dust covered hills.

Invisible artwork and Mother's Day Cards cover the refrigerator.  Dandelion and weed bouquets are placed proudly in a mayonnaise jar on the kitchen table with the words, "I'll always bring you flowers, mom".  But they wither and die and, like so many other empty promises, become only as dust carried away by the winds of time.

Noisy slumber parties and pizza at midnight. "Can I borrow the car keys and a couple dollars?" High School Graduation--a bride, a groom.  Grandchildren.

First teeth and first kisses, skinned knees and bruised egos--all become words with no motion.  The natural rhythm of life has been forever interrupted--and forever lost.

Or at least that's what our human frailness believes in the most desolate moments of our souls. But those very moments--when touched by God's never-changing promises--bear a truth that must be heard and spoken and believed by even the most shattered of hearts.

The frantic pleas of parents with earthly vision have been forever heard and answered.  Our children, their children, those precious lost children, have been found by the One Who loves them most.

And in those moments on earth when all is still, He carries them on wings of angels over diamond-dust covered hills to a place illuminated by His love...

A place called Heaven


Shepherdess Blog   
December 14, 2012
Jackie Deems  Copyright 1995

Dear Friends,

I felt an urging from the Lord to find "Lost Children" a few days ago and use it as a blog entry.  As life would have it, I have just been too busy to publish it here until now.  It was written for all of us who have lost our precious children from this earth.  Given the events of today in Connecticut, I thought it fitting to dedicate it to all those families going through the unspeakable grief of losing their beloved little one.  I wish I could do more...

 

 

 His Eye Is In The Kitty...

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin waiting for me to come outside

The little 3-year-old girl had been asking her parents for a black and white kitty for over a year and they finally thought she was old enough to care for just the right kitty.  It had to be black and white (according to the little girl) and it had to love her.  It had to be great with kids (according to the parents) and use a litter box. 

And so their search at shelters and pounds began, a journey that took them to places in several counties and all over the internet.  Each time their journey ended with disappointment and they wondered if they'd ever find the perfect cat for them.

Every day the little girl would say, "Is today the day we find my cat?"  Every day the answer to her question was always "no".

Then one day the little girl's mom looked on Petfinder.com and saw a cat that sounded too good to be true. His name was Pumpkin and the information provided by the rescue he lived in (our CATS Rescue) said he was great with kids.  And, he was black and white!

Mom emailed me and then called to find out more about Pumpkin.  It was one of those moments when you know something was meant to be and both of us realized that.  Mom, dad, the little girl and her baby brother wanted to come visit Pumpkin as soon as they could. 

I rescued Pumpkin and his 3 litter mates 1-1/2 years ago when they were just 6 weeks old. In fact, I even wrote one of my blogs about that experience, "Who's Rescuing Who?".  Pumpkin has always been, as my friend Mary Ann says, "Attention Needy" meaning you just can't give him enough attention. 

Since there are so many cats in our rescue, Pumpkin has been living outside for a few months(the younger healthy cats have buildings they can go into with heat lights, heated waterers, soft, warm beds, etc.)  But Pumpkin always wants to be with a person--any person--regardless of the weather. When we sit at the kitchen table he sits on the window ledge and looks in at us.  When I open the front door this little black and white kitty looks up at me, big eyes pleading with me to come out and pet him.

Pumpkin did live indoors for a time but loved being outdoors too so this Summer Pumpkin got to experience climbing trees, chasing leaves and playing until he was too tired to play.  He liked being outside almost as much as he liked being with people. Almost...

Because of his intense need for interaction, that I knew I could not satisfy, I decided the most loving thing to do for Pumpkin was to find him a home with a family that was just his--a place where he would get all the attention he deserved and craved.  So, I listed him on Petfinder.com

It's much easier for a kitten to find a home than an adult cat and I prayed for Pumpkin (as I do for all my rescues) that the perfect family would adopt this special little black and white kitty.  When I got the call from the mom looking for a friendly black and white kitty that was good with small children I knew my prayers for Pumpkin were answered.

When the young family arrived at our farm Pumpkin was waiting at their van before they could even open the doors.  The little girl burst out of the van saying, "There's my cat, Pumpkin" and with those words picked him up in her arms (upside down) and hugged him as tightly as she could while Pumpkin joyfully kneaded the air above him. It was love at first sight for them both.  It only took the skeptical parents a few moments to recognize Pumpkin was the cat they'd they'd been looking for--the cat they thought didn't exist.

As they walked around our farm looking at the other animals Pumpkin walked beside the little girl like a devoted dog. If Pumpkin got even an inch away from the little girl she would start to cry because she thought he was going to run away and she would not be able to take him home. It brought tears to my eyes as I saw him responding to someone he just met but somehow seemed to know would be his future.

When the short visit was over the little girl said, "Let's go home Pumpkin". And they did.  And I have to admit, I have shed more than a few tears because I miss Pumpkin.  But just today I received an email from the mom and the tears I have shed because I miss Pumpkin were replaced with tears of joy for a little black and white kitty who has found the family he so desperately wanted and deserved.

The email said:  "Thank you again for choosing us to adopt Pumpkin. He is working out better than I could have ever hoped. He is truly a special cat and we all love him. He loves the kids and the kids love him.  He sleeps with my daughter every night in her bed. I almost think he thinks he's her protector at night.  Because of him she is now sleeping in her own bed (which we could never get her to do).  Pumpkin is getting quite comfortable here and seems very happy."

As I end this story, I realize I am thankful for so many things on so many levels regarding Pumpkin.  Obviously, I am thankful for this family who did not give up looking for the perfect kitty for their daughter.  I am thankful God directed them to find Pumpkin, on a website that represents hundreds of thousands of adoptable rescue pets.

I am also thankful Pumpkin's story gives me hope that there is the perfect someone out there for every dog or cat or any other animal that needs to be rescued. They just need to find each other..

Most of all I am thankful for and to the God Who cares about what I care about--even if it's just a little back and white kitty named Pumpkin.


"His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me..."  A song written by Civilla D. Martin (1905)


"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?  And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father."

"Therefore do not fear, you are of more value than many sparrows."
Matthew 10: 29,31


Shepherdess Blog 
December 3, 2012
Copyright 2012  Jackie Deems