Cookies we made last year for Good Shepherd's Sunday
Dear Shepherd, hear my cry. My husband has been on duty at the firestation for days on end now. Normally I can handle his absence pretty well. But this particular weekend, I'm just darned tired. I miss him, I miss our family unity on the weekends, especially at Mass. I miss family dinners and grow weary of taking care of family business alone.
Does this photo give you a clue?
I could go on and on but I will refrain from too much whining. Do you ever just have bad days? I have been praying all weekend for God's abundant grace to just rain down on me. I sat in Mass trying to listen to the readings, despite my 3 year old's incessant loud whispers. How fitting that it is Good Shepherd's Sunday because I sure felt like one big sheep! I just sat there quietly bleating in the pew as I knew that I had strayed into the darkness of the night, feeling sorry for myself as I had scattered from the fold in my mind.
Suddenly the lines of the First Reading grabbed my heart like a shepherd's crook...
"Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace from God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps." And then the last line: "For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls."~1 Peter 2:20-25~
How's that for being thrown back into the sheepfold?
Praise God for graces received as my heart was renewed by the Mass.
Even though this time and place still holds its challenges, I know my Shepherd is prodding me a long, poking me with His staff and guiding me to stay close, ever mindful of the temptation to stray. In my helpless bleating, there is no better place to surrender than the sheepfold. There is no place like home, pressed up against my Master like one of his sheep that has been rescued. I am safe and secure at His feet, those same feet that were nailed to the Cross on my behalf and that of the whole world.
I gave up the temptation to serve chicken nuggets for dinner and will joyfully honor the Good Shepherd with the same dinner that we had last year. See that post and feel free to copy!
Good Shepherd's Pie
Field of Greens Salad
Shepherd's Staff Breadsticks
"Thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark."~Ezekiel 34: 11
It seems your day turned around? Great job on the Good Shepherd meal! That was not even a thought for me today....I'm too busy trying to plan our 3rd week (finally) of the Good Shepherd Garden Party!! (we are having it for lunch tomorrow! and yes, I know we started the 4th week today)
ReplyDeleteOn Friday during Mass (we try to go on Fridays) my 4 year old whispered loudly, to the baby "Use your whispering voice!" Then I told her to be quiet and she then said in her loud whisper 4 times "I was just telling Bridget to use her whispering voice, I was just telling Bridget to use her whispering voice...."
So, I had to laugh at your 3 year old. I was planning on writing my own post about my bad day last week.....
Hang in there, I'm sure it's hard without your husband around. You'll be in my prayers.
YES! I have been there! (Usually on a daily basis.) My prayers are with you. There is something - I don't know - calming about Daddy being home. My husband travels for business and the days when he is gone are always the toughest.
ReplyDeleteoh that hit home today. "Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace from God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps." Isn't that truly truly wonderful !!! God bless you in your hubby's absences from his family. It is so hard when our lifemate is away from us. But (I need to remind myseldf too) that's when Jesus steps in. :) ai love your shepherd's pie with the cross on it, and the little legs on your sheep !
ReplyDeleteOh, Tiffany! It is so hard when they are absent from family life. My husband used to travel early on in our marriage and then for 5 years he worked the graveyard shift. Ugh. Thank the Lord we are past that. Hang in there. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteBtw, thank you for being my 100th "follower". :)
I think I had two weeks in row not too long ago. Unlike you, I battled it which made it even worse. I cannot imagine how hard it must be when the father is away from home like that. I will be saying some extra prayers for you.
ReplyDeleteMy husband travels weekly (and has for 26 years!), so posts like these are very relatable for me. You turned things around, though, so good for you! Your Good Shepherd's meal looks awesome! +JMJ+
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you for the support and prayers! I have needed them:-) My husband is coming home today...Hallelujah! But then he will only be home one other day this entire week;-( I shall persevere even though it may be mixed with a bit of whining!
ReplyDeleteThat must be a rough schedule for all of you! I hope you are enjoying your time together today. That dinner looks yummy and I may just have to make it myself. My husband just returned home from ten days away on business and I am very happy to see him again. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteYour husband must be back now and so proud of you for taking such great care of your children while he was working. You're a wonderful mother Tiffany! Your children and husband are blessed with your loving and generous heart! I'm very impressed too with your Good Sheperds meal. I bet the children loved it too!
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