Little Lamb, Who Made Thee?

One of my favorite memories is hearing my husband sing this tender song:

  Little Lamb, Who Made Thee?

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Little lamb, who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee,
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o’er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, wooly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little lamb, I’ll tell thee;
Little lamb, I’ll tell thee:
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a lamb,
He is meek, and He is mild,
He became a little child;
I a child, and thee a Lamb,
We are called by His Name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!

- by William Blake

The words take me back to those tender bedtime hours when he would hold a baby or a toddler in the big rocking chair and sing about Jesus to calm and reassure our children for the night.  The feeling that all was well flowed through each one of us. 

Now near 20 years have passed and I'm realizing the truths taught in the song have more meaning than ever. Now, more than ever, I feel like a needy lamb and I need to trust Jesus to be my shepherd, watch over our children, calm my anxious heart and fill my soul with desire to do His will.  I'm learning that my way is too often in His way.  That Christ alone knows the way through, up and forward for each of his children.

Too often I have trusted my knowledge, my experience, my habits to lead the way to success.  Oh little lamb, "Who made thee?"  Divine insight and knowledge trumps the ways of the world every time, every day, in every way.  

The heartfelt message I would give my children today is the same as my husband's voice in that song long ago:  

spetenfia/shutterstock.com

Little Lamb who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

...Little lamb, I'll tell thee:

... Little lamb, God bless thee!

Not a Word About the Rain

My Dad has planted a garden his entire life.  As a boy he gained valuable farm skills at his father's side.  Today, his gardens are the most productive, green, lush, weed free gardens that you can imagine.  No you can't possibly imagine.  The pumpkin vines are climbing up trees.  The tomato bushes fill buckets after buckets after buckets.  The beans on his bean bushes multiply exponentially every time you pick them.  The cucumbers, the squash, the zucchini, the peppers look like pictures in magazines. His melons fill wheelbarrows daily all September.  His corn sweetly melts in your mouth.  And that is only the beginning.  Weeds are afraid to grow in his garden.  The soil is so soft and loamy you don't even need a shovel to plant. His many neighbors receive the fruits of his labors for weeks in July, August and September.

He has generously come to my home for over 21 years to help till our soil and plant corn.  Each year he comes out on his tractor, lifts a child up on the seat and carefully tills out a quarter acre of land making the soil ready for planting. His kind efforts to help me succeed have helped me to be a successful gardener. 

A few weeks ago I realized he needed help planting melons and I treasured the experience we shared that day. We gathered the seeds from glass jars in the basement, put them in labeled plastic bags and walked to the back of his acre lot.  He handed me the knife and I cut around a vinegar jug to create the right sized circle in the black plastic.  I put my finger in the soft soil to make four holes.  He shook a few seeds in my hand and I dropped the seeds down the hole then covered and watered them.  Then we went to the next hole and did the same.  It started to rain.  As the light sprinkle began, we kept going without a word about the rain.  The rain came down harder.  We moved to the next hole. He poured the seeds in my hand, I put them in the holes I poked and watered.  It rained even harder as we progressed down the 75 feet of plastic.  "Would you like me to get you a coat?" Dad asked. I declined.  It continued to rain as we planted the honey dew, orange flesh, crenshaw, and watermelon  until every hole had been planted, covered, watered and a vinegar jug put over the top. He said, "Thanks Diane, you can go in now."  I said, "Looks like we need to clean up."  There were a couple of dozen milk jugs and miscellaneous garbage scattered, and as I gathered, he said, "Oh lets plant the beans!"  I echoed, "Lets plant the beans!" and he hoed down two double rows and I planted the pink beans.  We covered those up, and we walked up to the house.  Not one word was said about the rain, or quitting.  

I love that!  Can I tell you how I love that!  I love that there was no complaining or withdrawing. My Dad was there to plant the melons.  And we planted the melons. And if there is more that needs doing, we will do that. That capacity spills over into other areas of his life just like the vines in his garden that grow and reach beyond their allotted space. He will do what he sets out to do.  It isn't just a gardening skill, it is the capacity to act, work, and move forward. It is his faith in God. That is the heritage I have seen all my life.  Through the diligent planting of seeds in the ground and nurturing the plants that produce fruit, I see the law of the harvest, I see him making his corner of the earth better and inspiring the people around him. I see the blessings, like the vines heaving beyond their bounds all around. I call it the green Midas touch. Instead of gold, it turns to life. I see God and man working miracles.

Finding Our Swing

I love the book we read this month, The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown in our neighborhood book group.  It was about a young man, Joe Rantz, who was abandoned by his family at age 15, and made his way through some very challenging years in the depression in the 1930's.  Working several heavy work jobs, he put himself into a university and landed a spot on Washington's rowing team.  These teams worked hard several hours a day in midwinter, snow, ice, and cold temperatures.  Eventually this man together with eight other men made their way to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Most of these men came from logging camps and dairy farms doing heavy physical labor to support their schooling. The descriptions of their races were so interesting.  When they rowed together in perfect harmony, synchronized, they said it was as if their boat was flying.  They developed a unique capacity to row with a slower rate but a deeper power stroke that conserved energy. They repeatedly came from behind to win at the finish line in national races against the elite schools of the East and Oxford.  In the critical race at the 1936 Berlin Olympics they started last. With one sick man at the oars, and given the worst lane to compete in, the odds were against them.  In spite of these overwhelming challenges, any one of which could have cost them the race, they came from behind to a stunningly, beautiful, inspiring first place win. 

At one earlier point, when the Olympic rowers had not been determined, one of the coaches told Joe, that he rowed unto himself.  He needed to be aware of the other boys and work in sync with them.  This changed everything for Joe. He started paying attention to the other men, and their strokes and their rhythm at practice. He began to think less of himself and more of the team. The increased unity soon became apparent. Soon these men developed a deep trust and respect for each other. They referred to this powerful phenomenon of trusting each other completely to do their part and the powerful results of this rare unity, "finding their swing."

What does "finding swing" look like in a family? I felt some of it when we all cleaned and cooked to prepare the home for a family party before my daughter left for the Philippines, and when all the children were decorating for several hours while we prepared a reception hall for another daughter's engagement party. It is more than just being there. It is an intensity of purpose, commitment and loyalty.  "Swing" became synergistic, but even more than that, "swing" is evidence of a powerful trust in each other to do our part and for a moment our family boat is flying!  

"Swing" in the community is especially moving.  The trust and respect for each other coupled with a deep desire to help the youth in our area was evident in a recent fundraising spaghetti dinner with an auction. It was incredible to witness the adults and youth donate  baked goods, craft items and bigger ticket items, including a bbq, blendtec, a will, overnight stay at a cabin. etc. It was evident that caring people made sure that no item went without a bid and my neighbors clearly saw themselves in a powerful role to support the youth of the area. I was deeply touched as we found "our swing" that night and it was stunningly beautiful.

The ultimate "swing" is receiving God's love and extending it to others.  Jesus taught a sacred "swing" in John 5:19:

The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  

Their unity is a sacred model that the Savior pleaded for us to follow in John 17:21:

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:  

When our greatest desire is to love and serve God, perhaps we can begin to experience in the smallest part this rare and divine unity.  If we have lost our way, or a loved one has lost their way, when relationships became challenging, we must begin with loving God. In fact any and every problem could begin to find its solution in the first and greatest commandment to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37) 

Our "swing" or unity with Him is the North Star that can then guide us back to be instruments in His hands to create unity, healing and "swing" in our family, neighborhood and national boats.

What Brilliant People Do

I read a quote recently:  

"Some days I amaze myself.  The other days I put the laundry in the oven."

While I bumble about, I admire the brilliance of those around me. Because some days I don't feel very clever,  perhaps because of a mismanaged day, a poor judgment call, something I said that hurt someone,  a missed opportunity, an ever increasing to do list etc. I love to see the brilliant things others do, so I can do them too.

I made a list of what I am learning from brilliant people around me:

• Be brilliant in the basics.  Do the simple things that matter most really well.
• Decide to not be judgmental but encouraging.  It builds confidence for all.
• Look for ways to serve everywhere you go.
• Cornmeal will get rid of ants.
• Listen, really listen to understand how the other person thinks.
• Approach things with an open mindset. Don't see barriers, see possibilities.
• Post your goals on a wall. Look and think about what you want to see and be every day.
• You have a mission and a message that no one else can give like you.
• Baking soda in the water will make boiled eggs easy to peel.
• Family is the treasure.
• Look up for answers.
• Look ahead and plan.
• Failures are pathways to success if we learn from them.
• Gratitude is the mystery problem solver. 
• Chill.
• Nurturing meals are a powerful way to draw people together. 
• Say I'm sorry.  Take responsibility.  Don't make excuses.
• Bring honor, respect and value to every situation.
• Work hard.  It is the way to get ahead.
• Be loyal. 
• Follow your heart.  Be passionate.

I love to watch, learn and talk to brilliant people.  We talk, listen and good things happen.  And when I confess that I put the milk in the cupboard and the cereal in the fridge, I smile when I learn that a few of the brilliant people around me have done the same.

A New Ship Just Left the Harbor

This month a new family unit was created.  A new umbrella will shelter and protect my daughter. In essence a new marital boat with one man and one woman was just launched with all of its rights, responsibilities and powers. 

Just as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin had rules of conduct, these two wonderful young people have high standards that have governed their personal lives to this point and have determined what kind of people they have become. Now the marital boat has joint decisions to make that have a power and identity all their own. A thrilling journey begins in which they craft their ship and chart their course.

An intriguing description of Nephi's ship has application to marriage: 

And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men. (1 Nephi 18:1-2)

And so a marriage is not built in the world's pattern, but in God's. Among the many inspired descriptions of marriage, this is one of my favorites:

“Marriage is more than your love for each other. … In your love you see only your two selves in the world, but in marriage you are a link in the chain of the generations, which God causes to come and to pass away to his glory, and calls into his kingdom. In your love you see only the heaven of your own happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post of responsibility towards the world and mankind. Your love is your own private possession, but marriage is more than something personal—it is a status, an office. Just as it is the crown, and not merely the will to rule, that makes the king, so it is marriage, and not merely your love for each other, that joins you together in the sight of God and man. … So love comes from you, but marriage from above, from God.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison, ed. Eberhard Bethge (1953), 42–43.)

Oh how I cheer them on in the new boat! And like King Arthur in Camelot told Sir Tom of Warwick to "Run, run," to tell the wonderful message of the knights of the round table, I say to you, "Run, run!" While the world may parade its deceptions and disillusionment, you run with the sure faith in the marriage and family treasure. You run with the confidence in a divinely ordained marriage. You run with the knowledge that thousands cheer you now, billions from eons before and future spirits that now await. Run with the message of love, hope and joy to a world that needs your light!

The Lord Blessed the Sabbath Day, and Hallowed It.

Several years ago when one son was about four, he examined his carrot carefully before eating and declared, "I don't see any vitamins in these carrots."  Like vitamins in carrots, I sometimes miss the blessings and treasures buried inside seemingly ordinary commandments.  For example, the Sabbath Day has layers of treasures that have always been there, but I haven't taken the time to study, learn and appreciate the miracle within.  
  
In Exodus 20:11 it says, "the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." I am intrigued by the word hallow. The definition of hallow is to "make holy or set apart for holy use." Synonyms include "to devote, dedicate or consecrate."  I understand this in at least three ways. 

First, there must be a space to stop daily physical labor, step back, and reflect on our path.  Faster often means less focus and perspective. The best remedy for that malady is to stop, step back, and be still.  I understand hallow in this sense to stop, dedicate and plan the weeks work, to be God's work.

Secondly, I understand hallow to mean that all that exists in creation only has meaning as we dedicate ourselves to the purpose for which the earth was created. In other words we make ourselves holy on the Sabbath day by consecrating ourselves to God's work and THEN the earth is fulfilling the measure of its creation.  It makes the creation holy.

So following that train of thought, the content and creation of each day and week can only be hallowed if I step back, consider how my devotion to God is connected to the previous week and the coming week.  Without turning to Him, focus is lost and the purpose of all of mortal life becomes lost or wasted.  I think of Malachi's plea to turn our hearts to the fathers and the fathers to the children, or the earth would be "utterly wasted."  Utterly wasted!  I am beginning to glimpse why I must turn in a deeply significant way every seven days to devotion and consecration to God, that what takes place on the next six days is not wasted.  And certainly at least a major portion of what is hallowed that day and the following days would connect the hearts of fathers, mothers, and children "lest I smite the earth with a curse."  Hallowed, certainly must be tied to effort to strengthen family ties on both sides of the veil and worship God. 

Thirdly, hallow the Sabbath means to cease to carry burdens spiritually and trust the Lord.  Jeremiah 17:22 states "Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.'"   David Wilkerson said the "sabbath means we are to cease from our own works - our striving in human strength - to merit God's salvation".  We are to cease doing it our way and carrying burdens on our own, and put our faith and trust in Him.  Hallow means in part to let go! 

As we hallow the Sabbath Day, may the sought after blessing be: "this city shall remain for ever,"  and we may "ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Jeremiah 17:14)

What Does God Want?

"What do you want?" is the recurring question throughout the month of December. I have a better question.  What does God want?  It is His birthday we are celebrating.  

He answers that question:  "Love one another, as I have loved you."  Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked.  Visit the sick.  Liberate the captive.  Where are they?  All around us. Years ago, I was taught about the have and have nots.  Everyone has something to give. Everyone needs something from someone else. We all are haves and have nots. Several years ago we befriended a refugee family from another country. Their warmth and kindness back to us is far greater than we have ever given. Often the greatest need is in our homes. Our children and spouses may hunger for approval, need to be clothed in acceptance and taught God's laws and blessings that they may be free.

What does God want? He wants us to make His will ours.  Many older couples give freely of their time and money to serve missions.  I loved these words Elder Oaks shared from the application of a couple missionary: "Will go anywhere and do what is asked." 

And there is the perfect birthday gift for God. "Will go anywhere and do what is asked." There is faith and trust.  There is the quest of a lifetime.  That kind of allegiance and obedience is protective. It is liberating and life giving. That is the answer to the more compelling Christmas question.