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God Gathers His Lambs

DAVID LOCKHART FAMILY – Justine Owsley Photography

Guest post by Cindi Stafford Lockhart

“See, the Lord God comes with strength, and His power establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him. He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them in the fold of His garment. He gently leads those that are nursing.” Isaiah 40:10-11 HCSB

Gatherings around the table have always been an important part of my life. I remember as a child, BIG family dinners on every holiday. As David and I started our own family, those gatherings continued to be very important to us. We would gather at Grandma Dorothy’s for our annual Christmas Eve seafood feast and celebration, or at Grandma Lilly’s on Christmas Day for ham, mashed potatoes, delicious white gravy, and brown-and-serve rolls. As our children grew into adulthood and started their own families, the traditions of gathering continued. Our family not only has a deep love for food and gatherings, but a deeper love for each other.

Click here for forty Bible verses about family.

In 2020, our lives drastically changed. Our oldest son, Brian, and his wife had filed for divorce. Brian was able to join our family traditions, but it was unbearable for him without his children. Brian was raised in the church, VBS, and Sunday School (with the famous Margaret Hamlet and Catherine Crump as teachers). At the age of 10, Brian and I made a trip to Lake of the Ozarks, and on the way home, in the backseat of our car-Brian asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins and be His Savior. But, as with many teenagers and young adults, church and Jesus were often replaced with friends and fun. I often talked to Brian about his relationship with Jesus and prayed for him (and all of my children) every day.

In late 2021, Brian met an amazing woman who loved Jesus. Kayla and her family were answers to my many prayers. Kayla’s dad kept asking Brian to go to church with them; Brian started attending church and re-dedicated his life to the Lord. We had several conversations about his Bible readings and the Bible studies they were doing. I could see a change in his life and in his heart. I also could see the inward struggles he was experiencing from the ongoing divorce and custody battles. Brian was a very private person and carried so much weight and struggles alone. On August 2, we lost our son. His struggles became too much to bear. Our family would never be the same. There was an aching, gaping hole in our hearts and around that precious dining room table.

I had wanted to do family pictures for some time, but we never captured family photos before his death because we wanted his children in the photos. God’s mercy, grace, and comfort have been my constant. There are days that I could literally feel God answering the prayers of dear friends helping me to pick up one foot and place it in front of the other. I have poured over scripture to find peace. I have worshiped when all I could do was take all of my emotion and pour it out to Him. I decided that part of my healing would be to get those family photos completed.

Honestly, two days before the scheduled shoot, I was ready to call and cancel. I couldn’t think of having family photos without him. I prayed and asked God to help me because I could feel it would be an important step not only for my healing but for my family’s healing. God helped me find ways I could include Brian in our family photo. I went to the Bible he gave himself for Father’s Day 2022, and there was a bookmark on Isaiah chapter 40. He had marked verses 10 and 11. In those words from God, talk about God’s protection and how He gathers His lambs and protects them in the fold of His garment. Brian found peace knowing that God would protect and watch over his kids. I also know because Brian had given His heart to Jesus, Jesus gently holds Brian now.

Our pictures are a reflection of God’s goodness in our lives. A reflection of our family and its love, strength, and our legacy of the “gatherings”. God clearly made His presence known to us through His creation that day-enveloping our family in a sky that speaks of His goodness. Healing came in the form of laughs that speak of our resilience and our love for each other. I look forward to heaven-the GREAT gathering, where we can all be together again. I kind of think there will be a big dining room table filled with all of our favorites….enjoying each other and praising our Savior for eternity.

Please feel free to leave comments for Cindi,

As always, hugs,

Your Father Knows What You Need

God’s Immeasurable Bounty

“… your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.” Matthew 6:8

“Mom, I’m going to Sam’s Club on Monday. Do you want to go with me?” Daughter, Debbie Cardwell’s timing was perfect. I had been putting off the drive to Sam’s Club in Springfield for their good fresh fruit and rotisserie chicken.

The idea of spending the day with my older daughter was exciting enough; however, God had more in store for me. I headed to the chilly produce room while she shopped the entire store.

As I assured an employee I didn’t need help with produce, he smiled and said “Blessings” as he turned to leave. “Wait,” I said. “I have something I think you will want.” As I handed him a copy of the Jesus storybook, he immediately returned to inquire where I went to church.

“I actually attend several Southern Baptist Churches in Dallas County. My husband was Director of Missions there for twenty-one years; they are all my family.”

His smile broadened as he replied, “Russell Adams! I knew him. I was so sorry to hear he had passed. I’ve been to your home. He gave me my first opportunity to speak in one of your churches after I surrendered my life to preach. His support had a lasting impression on my call and my life.” He continued describing exactly where I lived and sharing what Russell had meant to him and his ministry.

We stood a long time in that cold produce room talking about his family, exchanging phone numbers, and vowing to get together after The Rebel and Preacher Man was published. He has stories that need telling in the next book (prayers, please)! A co-worker took our picture before he left!

Do you realize God has such blessings for you as well? His love for you cannot be measured. My earnest prayer in sharing this story is that you, dear reader, will open your eyes and your heart to what our Loving Father has for you. And, if you have any doubts or questions that He is your Father, please drop me a note.

Free Beautiful Story of Jesus

I have given away hundreds of these beautiful little books. They tell the chronological story of Jesus’ life with a section in the back for you to look the scripture up in your own Bible.

I want to challenge you, whether you want to order books or not, to go to their page and pray for this ministry.

You can order one or more individual books or a case of 120. I ordered ten cases last time and carry them with me wherever I go. We must get Jesus’ story out to our lost and dying world.

My personal challenge to you. Whether you have a book to give or not, you can always give a smile. Our world desperately needs to understand how much God loves them and we can help.

I’m looking forward to hearing how God has touched your life this week.

Hugs,

You Can Change a Life Today

Pretty Card or Plain Paper – Just Send It

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

God has given you the ability to change a life today. You can easily encourage someone every single day the Lord gives you breath.

It’s a wicked world. Life is tough and getting tougher for many. Time is short. None of us know when our last day will be.

How is my encouragement working so far?

While writing our memoirs, I sent over one hundred letters to people across the United States asking for memories and stories about Russell to put into a scrapbook for our family. (Have you sent yours yet?)

My heart breaks as I read the responses, he had no idea of his influence. It would have been a much-needed encouragement for him to hear those words in his final days.

I can hear you. “I don’t write letters anymore, postage is so high!” Oh, Please! Do you know how many stamps you can buy with the money spent yesterday on that latte or soda? Seriously! Where are our priorities?

I have a personal challenge for each of you. Think of someone who has meant something special in your life and take time (MAKE TIME) to send them a card–yes, a real card/letter they can get in the mailbox! Get well and anniversary cards are often expected. Go the extra mile, and do the unexpected.

Need inspiration? Click here for encouraging scriptures.

Drag out your old address book and look at it each morning. Ask God who needs an encouraging word from you today. Mail them a note even if you see them each day. Give them something to hold on to when storms assail.

One of the most precious notes I received this week was handwritten scribbles on a scrap piece of paper. Priceless!

Think outside the box. I put a tiny bag of candy and a note on the top of my dumpster occasionally on trash day. Same for the postman. Hand a scripture card to the grocery clerk.

As always, praying for you as I write.

Hugs,

Thanks for dropping a note below! You bless my heart and encourage me to keep on keeping on ’til Jesus comes.