My sheep listen to my voice and l know them - scripture graphic

 

I’m a sheep caller.

You laugh.

Truly, I am.

You see, one day as Tim and I went for a long walk in the country, we noticed a good number of sheep scattered all over the hillside.

 

My sheep listen to my voice | Farm house with sheep grazing nearby.

 

They were happily grazing near the farmhouse and the adjacent field.

 

My sheep listen to my voice | Sheep grazing on the hillside behind a red barn in PA.

 

As we got closer I started talking to them.  I’m friendly like that.

I’ll talk to horses and cows and maybe your dog.  Though I am afraid of dogs I don’t know.

 

My sheep listen to my voice. | Sheep on the hillside on a PA farm.

 

When I talk to animals I don’t really expect that they’re going to respond to me.  After all I’m a city girl.  I have no large animal experience.  My only pets have been cats.  There were a few dogs that tried to call our house home, but usually after a few days my dad would put them in the car and take them to the humane society.

 

My sheep listen to my voice. | Wonder what these sheep find so interesting?

 

How I got brave and started talking to animals along my walks, I’m not sure.   But, I do enjoy it.  I just hope no one besides the animals and my husband are listening.

 

My sheep listen to me (John 10:27) | Pennsylvania farm with red barns and sheep.

 

Notice the sheep here?

I’m quite far away.

Yet, they are really paying attention to me.

 

My sheep listen to me and I know them (John 10:27) | Farm sheep

 

I won’t tell you what I said… I’ll just leave it up to your imagination.

However, I did NOT call, “Here sheepy!”  Just for the record.

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) | Barn yard filled with fluffy sheep.

 

But, then… the sheep started making their way down the steep hill… coming my way.

To see me!

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) | Sheep on the way to the barn.

 

Or, maybe not!

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) | A Pennsylvania farm with sheep on their way to the barn.

 

They weren’t really interested in me…

There was something in the barn calling them.

 

Red Pennsylvania barns with green roofs.

 

I wonder what was going on in the barn?

 

My sheep listen to my voice (John 10:27) | Pastoral farm setting

 

Evidently it wasn’t what they expected… because they sent out a scout to find me.

 

My sheep listen (John 10:27) | Sheep farm.

 

I guess they ignored him.

“Where did she go?”

They probably wondered for a long time, because I continued on my walk.

 

My sheep listen to my voice from John 10:27 | Pastoral setting among red barns in Pennsylvania.

 

They were still milling around the barn on my return trip.

 

My sheep listen (John 10:27) | What are these sheep waiting for?

 

And as I walked… some of the sheep got the idea that they needed to head back inside the barn.

 

My sheep listen to my voice (John 10:27) | Pennsylvania sheep farm.

 

As I continued on my way… some watched me quite inquisitively.

 

My sheep listen to my voice (John 10:27) | Inquisitive sheep

 

My little adventure reminded me of this scripture….

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

And then this thought hit me…

How often do I listen to the ONE who loves me with His everlasting love… briefly follow and then go my own way… thinking that I’ve got things figured out… without keeping my eyes on him?

 

My sheep listen to my voice - scripture graphic of John 10:27

 

 

JoyDay! the day we take time to count our blessings in community.

 

It’s JoyDay!

The day we take time to look back over the past week and count ‘seven’… our joys and our sorrows… and give thanks.

There’s something wonderful that happens when we practice this counting.  We start to see things in our day differently, we live with more joy and expectation.  And peace.

Please join me in counting ‘seven.’

I’ll start!

Lord, thank you for…

  1. Your amazing timing.
  2. being warm and cozy in the house when the temperature dropped to -19.
  3. renewing our hope and admonishing us to fully trust and believe through a devotional passage we have read countless times.  Thank you for helping us see your word in a new, fresh, and powerful way.
  4. safety on the roads this week with all the snow.
  5. that our car started right up in spite of the intense cold.
  6. the blessing of my husband making a hot breakfast every morning.
  7. a ridiculous amount of time used up on trips and phone calls to resolve an issue that still has us “on hold” for another week or so.  In the midst… you’re making something better out of this for us.

Now, it’s YOUR turn!

Scroll down to the “Share your extraordinary thoughts” below and tap in your ‘seven.’  You’ll be glad you did.

 

I’ve taken this weekly counting to a daily counting of ten.

Each night… the last thing I do before I go to bed is pull out my journal and list all the things for which I am grateful.  My count has now passed 500.  There are plenty of pages in my journal to count thousands and thousands.  I look forward to filling it up.  If you have never taken on a discipline like this… I encourage you to give it a try.  It has made such a huge difference in my life.

We’re now in the season of Lent.

If you’re want to give up something other than Coke, chocolate, or Facebook, you’ll want to read this post.  (Even if you have given up one of the three… check it out anyway.)  And if you are looking for something to do or read daily, I shared some options here.

 

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

May your week overflow with JOY!
Diane

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Comments

  1. Lorraine says

    Thank you for taking the time to share your walk with us this morning. I live in Baltimore, Maryland and we got about 10 inches of snow yesterday. Church has been cancelled and it was cancelled last week, too. So hearing about our Good Shepherd is a balm to my heart. Three years ago I began decorating with sheep because they remind me of my Shepherd. I do not ever want to stop hearing or responding to His voice. He has never led me astray. May you and yours have a blessed day. Again, thank you.

    • Diane says

      Oh Lorraine… I am so sorry that you are dealing with so much snow. That’s something I would be used to in NY and MI and it still would be a pain… but you don’t ever get snow like that, do you? I love how you decorate with sheep as a reminder.
      Thank you for stopping by and for leaving your kind words.
      Enjoy the beauty of the snow and your quiet time with the Good Shepherd. 🙂

  2. Rose says

    Good Morning Diane ~
    My husband and I just said how lucky we are to be in a warm home – with the weather being below 0
    I am so grateful for my wonderful husband, alway wanting to make me happy – he is such a good man.
    I am grateful for my two beautiful daughters, one who lives in Brooklyn, and the other in LA. They are together this weekend, and this makes my heart jump for joy. They love each other so much –
    I am grateful they both went to visit my Mom yesterday, this is so important they spend time with their grandma.
    I am grateful for the talents God has given me. Did I ever think I would be making jewelry, NO – but with His grace I have learned how to, and I love doing it.
    I am always grateful for my 7 sisters, as I shared last week.
    I am grateful for my new friends I have made living in our condo.
    I am grateful for all my blogger friends, so many of them mention Jesus and this truly makes me happy –
    God bless you all today and every day.
    Much love,
    Rose

    • Diane says

      I rejoice with you, Rose, and love your grateful heart.
      Thank you for stopping by to count with us. 🙂
      May your week overflow with JOY!

      • Rose says

        Dear Diane ~
        Thank you for such beautiful words.
        I wish you so much peace and love.

        Much love,
        Rose

  3. Debbi Saunders says

    I am so grateful to God,
    l. for answering little prayer requests to just let me know He is still here with me…
    2. for the wisdom and growth that I have experienced through this trial in my life…
    3. for my Faithful, Christian Friends who have uplifted and surrounded me in prayer as I face one of the greatest challenges I have ever faced in my life tomorrow…. my Earth Angels !
    4. for my Home that I Christened SOZO on August 2,2014 after reading about it in one of my favorite blogs.
    It is Greek meaning , to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from Danger and destruction, complete restoration….which is what I am believing for. In the Blog she recommended giving your Home a name and an identity. It will help you to value and take pride in it… This is what she named her home and I borrowed it because it so fits my situation!
    5. for the walls of my small home that surround and protect and comfort me and offer a safe Haven of peace and security…
    6. for my personal relationship that has grown so deeply with God/Jesus…
    7. for my job which is so fulfilling as well as meeting my financial needs…

    • Diane says

      I’ve never heard of christening your home….but I sure love the idea and the name you have chosen, Debbi. 🙂
      Rejoicing with you… loving your grateful heart and the inspiration that you are to me and so many others… and trusting with you BIG time! 🙂
      Looking forward to seeing how God works on your behalf. Thank you Lord for meeting my friend’s need and taking care of her!!!!
      {{{hugs}}}

  4. I loved your post!! I grew up in the country and we had some sheep at one point. We didn’t have a farm, just a big back shed. I spent a lot of time at my cousin’s farm which had Holstein cows. So many memories! You wonder what is going on in their sheepy brains when they’re looking at you like that. A great message too. I know I’ve been like them. I heard His voice and went traipsing my own way. Thanks for that.
    I’m thankful for:
    Having an extra day off this week to get more things done.
    Finding curtains that I saw on another blog that I knew would look perfect in my home. Never had curtains! Just blinds.
    Like many, having a warm and cozy home when it is super cold out there!
    Being able to bless some sweet young ladies with an encouraging card while they were encountering God at church this weekend.
    Being able to bless a friend on her birthday when no one else did and sharing a wonderful conversation.
    For health when so many are ill with flu and colds
    And like Rose said above, finding so MANY bloggers who know Jesus!! They’re everywhere!
    Thanks Diane! Have a great week!! Blessings to you, Diane

    • Diane says

      I agree, Diane, it’s such a joy to find so many wonderful, talented, articulate, and brilliant, fellow Jesus lovers in blogland!
      Thank YOU for not only stopping by… but for taking the time to share a little of your story and to “count” with us.
      Rejoicing with you in your blessings… and praying your week overflows with HIS Joy!!! [hugs]

  5. Kim says

    That’s so beautiful, Diane. Since I know SO much about animals (not really, but I do know about horses), my theory is that the sheep thought you were coming for feeding time or something like that in the barn. They are so cute, aren’t they? Our horses stand at the fence and neigh at us (strongly!) if they need hay or water. The mare is especially vocal…typical female, I guess. I love watching animal patterns and habits. God’s creatures, great and small (except snakes), intrigue me so! Thank you for reminding me to be:
    -Thankful for my shepherd and that He has shown me His voice and love.
    -Thankful for my husband.
    -Thankful for a warm house.
    -Thankful for God’s work in the lives of our family members.
    -Thankful that He allows me to take part in new ministry areas.
    -Thankful for each encouragement along our journey.
    -Praising the Lord for His love and care.
    I’m praying things are working out for you and Tim. Love that you two take walks together. It refreshes the soul and marriage all in one! 🙂

    • Diane says

      Haha! Kim, I think you’re probably right. 😉 I bet they would rather eat oats (or whatever sheep eat) than the dry bristly stubble in the fields at the end of the winter. 🙂 Regardless… it was a FUN adventure and one that made my day. I so enjoyed taking all those photos, wondering what I was going to do with them. Would you believe that experience took place two years ago in March? That seems a life-time away. I was going through some of my old photos that I haven’t used on the blog and came across those. What a wonderful memory on a subzero day!!
      Thank you for stopping by today and sharing your ‘seven,’ too!
      I love your thankful heart and rejoice with you for God’s wonderful provisions.
      May your week overflow with HIS joy! [[hugs]]

  6. Mary Barber says

    I so enjoy hearing you express your faith. It is so rare these days for one to do so. I am inspired! Thank you!

    • Diane says

      Mary, thank you so much for your words of encouragement. What a blessing you are! [hugs]

  7. Mel says

    Oh now….see, if it were me I WOULD have been calling “Come ‘ere little sheepies!” LOL. What adoreable photos. Gotta wonder about that barn though…..I can guess the farmer with the shears wasn’t in there. They’re fluffy sheeps!
    Enjoy your Lenten season, ashes or not.

    • Diane says

      Haha!!! Aren’t they the fluffiest things ever?!!
      Thanks for the kind wishes, Mel!

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