My lovely friend Charity is our special guest today.  Charity and her husband have four beautiful children in their flock.  They have walked through mountains and valleys with the Shepherd of their souls and they live to make Him known.  I wish you could go have coffee (or
pasta) with this gal, and hear straight from her heart the miracles and healing that
God did in regard to her husband’s cancer. Charity and I are currently spurring each other on in writing, speaking, and songwriting.  Charity was a great source of encouragement and support during our adoption process as well.  

Sit back and enjoy her insights about this most special verse from Isaiah 40.

Ponder this. 
Quiet your busy soul. 
Listen.

The Lord considers you. He is the great Overseer of your life. Nothing brings Him more pleasure than making sure that your frame is fully equipped for the future He has laid before you. He has made no mistakes with you. Does He by accident name His children after the lamb, whose most prominent sense of touch is their lips and mouth? This Shepherd of profound mystery will unveil Himself, and tend, to you. 

Come closer.
He says, you are not close enough.

Yet, He watches as we run. Distracted by ourselves we unravel life as if we understand what tomorrow holds. He is unmoved. Readily He waits for us to turn around, but, before we know it, He has gathered us in His grace. Brushing our knees off, wiping our face and giving us water to drink. He stands us up, yet again. 

You were no further off than He allowed. No further gone than He could restore. You are His lamb. Rest now, in His strong arms.

He desires for you to know of the strength He contains, of the weight He can bear, of the burdens He can make light. Place upon Him, even now, what concerns your weary soul. You are heart-to-heart with the God of this astounding universe. Placed upon His bosom your precious heart should never race. Do you hear His? Place your tender ear against His chest and tell Him all your woes and dreams; He carries you close, hoping that you will. 

Still, never rushed is this tender Father of great patience. He can fully comprehend the heaviness of leading the young, as He led His only spotless Lamb to the cross. He forsook His Own, that your young may never be forsaken. Follow without hesitation. He has promised to lead gently. Let Him. “God is not a man, that He should lie,” take Him for all that He is worth. 

You will never be disappointed.

Deep Breaths:

1.  In Genesis 48:15-16, Jacob says that God has been his Shepherd all his life.  Read Psalm 23 and list the qualities of the Good Shepherd, the Overseers of our souls.

2.  For those who have made Jesus Lord of your life-  recall how he has specifically been a Shepherd to you.  How has He tended, gathered, carried, or led you?

3.  Memorize Isaiah 40:11