Lambs in the sheepfold...

Where did Abiga go?

Alexandria

So much is happening this spring! Two of my grand-daughters are graduating high school.

How blessed I am to be called "their Grammy".  
I have always been a fan of Lord Byron's poetry. In high school, we had to memorize many of the poets and were well versed in classical literature. This particular poem speaks of loveliness and innocence

Emily

She Walks In Beauty like the night

Lord Byron

 She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

The Shepherdess Speaks...

THE JOYFUL PLACE

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Psalm 77:6

When I slipped through the French doors to the bricked patio surrounded by thick tropical foliage, miniature palms and a fence covered with night blooming jasmine, a hush lay over the evening, silent and still. It was near midnight and my nightly habit of pausing for some quiet time on the secluded patio had become a custom.

Before climbing into bed each night, I stepped into the night to marvel at the stars one more time, then say a prayer and a goodnight to God, thanking Him for all my blessings at the end of another day.

This night, I sat on a chair and searched the shadowy sky but no stars were visible. The heavens were covered with clouds and a storm was threatening. The stillness gave way to a rising wind that stirred the treetops and rustled among the leaves.

Earlier that evening, I had received some unpleasant news so I lingered on the patio to complain to God. For some time now, I had given myself to working out an unfavorable situation and now, all my efforts seemed in vain. There was no resolution in sight.

The wind stirred and I heard a faint noise, indistinguishable at first, a sound of music perhaps, a melody of sorts. Moments passed and the wind increased and so did the song. Then I knew what it was. Somewhere in the neighborhood, wind chimes were sounding, growing louder as the storm increased in strength and the chiming became a challenge to the oncoming storm, a joyful echo in the midst of the approaching gale. It was then I heard that still small voice speaking to my heart. “Can you sing in the storm? Can you remember that in the darkest times, you can rise above the noisy turmoil that surrounds you and that nothing can take your joy and song?”

I got the message. Looking into the roiling night sky, I prayed for the strength to be like the chimes, a pleasant sound in the dark times of my life, a soothing and joyful song rising above all other voices in the stormy night.

“…Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

The Shepherdess Speaks...

Waiting...

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”

IS 40:31

Photo taken from a window at Blair Castle, Scotland

The Waiting Place

When you wait upon the Lord, you learn to see things from a different perspective, from His perspective.

He is not concerned with time as we who are subject to the passage of moments and days, so we learn to move at His pace, and to function under His directives. The times of waiting are growing times and learning times. When we quiet our heart, we enter into His peace. When we understand more fully our weakness, we receive His strength.

As we lay down our will and submit to His will, His voice becomes clear and we hear Him. Then…we mount up, lifted by the wings of His Spirit, like the lofty eagle. As we move forward, we become sensitive to His timing and when we act, we give ourselves only to the things He has asked us to do.