Monday, April 27, 2009

Free and Forgiven

We're back from a delightful time of sunshine, friends, food and GOD!!!! Thank you so much for your prayers! Y'all, I didn't realize how much I needed a Susan break! Wow! We had close to 30 ladies who went to Myrtle Beach for 72 hours to focus on Him! Our theme was the title of my post. I heard so many beautiful gals--that I thought I knew-- share their hearts as to how He had released them from bondage ranging from abuse to pride through the precious blood of His son. Simply beautiful.

I have a story to share about something that occurred while we were there. Leebird is the only one in Bloggyland who knows this because I have her cell phone number!!!

One of our precious ladies is from another country. She's lived in the US for many years, but there is still a language barrier. She is an avid hiker (she's climbed Mt. Rainier!!) and golfer and walker. Granted, even though she's in her late 60's, she still is extremely active and in great shape! On Friday morning, the first day of the retreat, she decided to go for a walk on the beach. She took off before some friends and I left to run--around 6:30. We returned from a great run and got all ready to begin the retreat--at 9:00. This precious lady was not back. We waited about 45 minutes, and some of the others were quite concerned and worried. In my heart, I knew what her capabilities were--she could go on for hours without stopping. But, another gal and I volunteered to go and find her. We'd already run 5 miles, but this was different. I put back on my running shorts (they were still wet from sweat!!) and remembered to remove my dangly earrings! I do not run in jewelry even though I love to wear it! It gets on my last nerve!! I still had on my cutesy t-shirt and regular bra and of course, my name tag!!! So, Mary and I took off down the beach. She ran in one direction, and I went the opposite way. We had cell phones and were going to call each other when we found her.

The sun was shining brightly, and I was "glistening" after a couple of minutes! I asked a few folks on the beach if they had noticed this precious lady, but they had not. And, my name tag was still on--starting to peel off from the sweat!!! After running 2.5 miles out, I stopped and called Mary. No luck. Then, I called my Hubby and Leebird and asked them to pray that she would come home quickly. Y'all, it's hard enough to talk and run, but try running hard and explaining a situation on the phone at the same time! It was a little tricky!! As soon as I hung up with Lee, my phone rang. It was one of the gals at the beach house. Our lost lamb was found!!! With a grateful heart, I lengthened my stride to get back to the house and give her a welcome home hug! Y'all, she truly had become lost. She couldn't remember where our house was located--we had only been at the beach one night! The houses all look the same from the beach (we were on the front row--woohoo!). How many times have we become confused and lost because everything looked the same? It all looks good, but looks can be deceiving.

The story of the lost sheep in John 10 clearly illustrates that we have to keep our eyes focused on our Shepherd--through Bible Studies, church, prayer and fellowship with other believers. If not, we become lost in a world full of choices. Some of these choices have severe consequences. If we know our Savior, the way is clear. We won't get lost along the way.

Many Blessings!

8 comments:

Yolanda said...

Oh, I'm anticipating!!!!

Yolanda said...

Oh I'm telling you that your note to come back and reading this has God-skin because they don't all look the same goes right along with my post.

Paula V said...

This is great, Susan. Love the analogy of the lost lamb, everything looking the same, and relating it to the Word.
The trip sounds wonderful.

Kelly said...

Wonderful post, and so glad you went to look for her. Being lost is the worst!!! But being found? Ahhh. Joy@

Sharon Sloan said...

Wow...God is good! Your weekend sounds refreshing.

And you are a great sister in the Lord to go looking for the lost sheep! So glad she was OK.

Beautiful picture!

On Purpose said...

Great truth found in the everyday when we live it with our eyes open to see Him! I am so glad for a weekend for you to refresh your
'Susan' soul. You need it to be the best wife, momma, friend, and Bible study leader you can. Praying and knowing that God will continue to work through you in amazing ways!

Kimberly said...

First, I am so glad you had a great time! :) And I am so glad your lost sheep was found!

I also want to say thank you. Your last paragraph was just what I needed to read. We are facing some choices right now, and honestly I feel a little overwhelmed...your sweet reminder for me to keep my eyes on the Shepherd was just what I needed to read!

Love to you, sweet Susan!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Sounds awesome, and I am so glad that the lost sheep was found! Scary stuff. You sure got your workout that morning!

On another note, I'll be in MB in September for a Saturday morning retreat. Are you far from there? Also, just sent you an email about my manuscript. Let me know if you get it.

peace~elaine