"Good Morning Ladies, it's great to be amongst all you moms, you are all so beautiful, and you look like royalty!" "Well, when I said, "royalty" a couple of you looked at me like huh?" "me?" "Yes, You! The mom with the drool on her shirt, and the mom with the dark circles under her eyes from staying up late with her child." "You are ROYALTY!"
As moms we are given the responsibility to take care of our children, to go above and beyond. We give and give, and sometimes wonder what we're going to get out of all this sacrifice. All the late night wake up calls, the taxi services, and constant answer to those little voices that call us "mom".
Well, in 1 Peter 5:2-4 (Message) it talks about being a shepherd to our flock. Today our flock is our children. It also talks about us doing it because we want to, not because we have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. I love the way it is stated in the Today’s English version: it states “that you will receive the glorious crown which will never lose its shine!” Before I shared my message I had placed under each ladies seat, a sheet of paper that had a crown on it, but it was missing the 8 jewels, I asked them to place the following letters as the jewels.
S= show
H=help
E=encourage
P=provide
H=humble
E=examples
R=real
D=disciple
Each letter representing that which is needed to be a good shepherd. Then I asked them to place the crown on their heads so that we could imagine what it would be like when we receive our crown from our Lord, for doing such a good job with our flock. I don't know about you but I was encouraged to be a better shepherd after giving this message. I want to please HIM whom will crown me, don't you?
Giveaway: A $5.00 Starbucks card will be given away to a lucky winner. In order to enter, all you have to do is post your favorite thing you do to take care of "your flock" in the comments below.
Remember: A flock could be anything the Lord gives you to take care of (ex. ministry, your students, kids, husband, workers, etc.)
All entries must be submitted by Tuesday, February 16th at 6pm PST. Winners will be posted on Wednesday morning!
2 comments:
wow Kim that was a great message. I want to just say that I have always felt blessed in many ways. I am a mother of 5 beautiful children who has always been a perfectionist. About a year and a half ago I gave birth to a gorgeous baby boy and he died right after he was born only 5 days after my brother in law had passed away. Since that time I have really put life into perspective and not felt the same about being perfect anymore.For whatever reason, whatever plan, it was meant for my son to stay with God. Our loss has not only opened my eyes, but it has changed my children a lot. It has made my children stronger and more compassionate. They are very helpful with their two baby brothers and truly the best children in the world. I cant take all the credit because God helps me everyday to guide them in the right direction. Recently we have been blessed to have my grandmother move in with us and as it has been extremely difficult and time consuming, my children are patient , caring and loving. I thank God everytday for giving me the strength I need to get up in the morning and keep leading them in the right direction. It truly is only with him that I have happy, healthy children a great husband, a fantastic business and a home to live in.
Virginia A
Since I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of having a family and taking care of them. I admired Mrs. Cleaver and the mom on Family Ties. I couldn't wait to grow up and be a mom like the mom on Growing Pains. The truth is I have many talents and many gifts that God has blessed me with. I know this for sure and have never questioned them. But they never drove me like the thought of making dinner for my family or even folding laundry and ironing for those I love most. I would daydream about looking into my babies eyes and knowing that all she needed in the world was me! Well, in July I will celebrate my 17th wedding anniversary and I have two beautiful girls, 14 & 12 and an adopted son who amazingly will be 24 in April. I must say, sheperding this flock has been quite a task. Sometimes they stray, sometimes they even get out of the fence, but I have my good ole faithful sheperd dog, the "holy ghost". He has never been wrong, never lead my flock astray, nor taken us into danger. He has always helped me to find the stream, the shade and green pastures to take the best care of my flock EVER. I must say that it is a tough job, but wouldn't trade it in for corporate america, anytime, anyday! This is my dream, God's plan for my life---to sheperd my sweet little flock. Perhaps one day when they have lambs of their own and get their own sheperd dog--I will have a new flock to fleece and lead. But for now...I WILL FULFILL MY ASSIGNMENT.
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