Forever 21 – Part 4 (Libby Williams)

I’ve never been very successful at making homemade biscuits.  My heart tried to condemn me before I ever took the ingredients out of the cabinet and the refrigerator.  Quite frankly, I was tempted to run to the grocery store for some rolls.  I’ve had so many failed attempts; however, today was a new beginning. Thankfully, my husband doesn’t hold it against me.  Today,  I made what’s known as angel biscuits.  They rose up and turned out beautiful.  I know it sounds silly but I actually prayed they would turn out nice, because I am taking them to a bereaved family.   They turned out beautiful!

Many homemakers fall into the trap of telling themselves they can’t do things because of lack of confidence or repeated failures.  But the Word of God tells us that we have a Father who is always with us and a Shepherd who promises to lead and care for us in ALL things!

In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus taught His disciples to pray “Our Father.”  In Psalm 23 David called God, “my Shepherd.”  There is a clear difference in the purpose of the two prayers.

In Matthew 6, Jesus was teaching us how to pray, who our God really is. Father speaks of one who lovingly takes care of us, provides for us, causes all things to work together for our good, makes all things new, and repairs all of the things that are broken.  Now that’s one amazing Father.

In Psalm 23, David was speaking of who God is as our Shepherd. As a shepherd boy, David had lovingly poured oil upon many of his sheep. Why would he do such a thing?  The oil would keep away the biting gnats and stinging insects. Left unattended, these pests would drive the sheep totally mad, stealing their peace and rest. He would also pour healing oil on their gaping open wounds they would incurr in the fields.

But in the word “shepherd,” we hear of a real love for the sheep.  You see, shepherds have the best interest of the sheep at all times.  They fight off the attacks of their enemies. He leads them to green pastures and beside still waters.  If one gets lost,  he will leave the rest of his fold to go and search for the one lost lamp.  Because they have no sense of direction, the shepherd will sometimes need to break the leg of a sheep if it persists in straying. The Shepherd then carries the afflicted lamb across his shoulders until the leg is healed. The lamb wounded and then healed by the Shepherd is the one that will now stay closest to the Shepherd out of the entire fold.

     Four good reasons to stay close to your Father Shepherd.

• Our Shepherd does not want us to spend our entire lives trying to drink from the tumultuous waters of un-forgiveness versus still waters of forgiveness.  He wants us close to Him in prayer.

• If Jesus teaches you to pray, “Our Father,”  You can know you are accepted into the family of God. He has everything you need right there in His fold.

•  The Good Shepherd keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5) He loves His sheep unconditionally.

• There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

So, you see … you can pray to your Father in heaven while you are making biscuits, reorganizing a closet or helping your husband do a house project because your Father Shepherd is right there to help you and be with you.  Whether you are trying something new or doing something for the umpteenth time.

Pray about those tasks you’ve never successfully accomplished.  Follow the directions and ask the Lord to teach you to help you succeed.  He will do it!  He wants you to be a successful homemaker.  He delights in helping you keep an orderly home because He is a Father Shepherd of order.  He wants you to pray about everything, your family as well as your homemaking.