Crazy bugs!

Today Riley and I needed to run an errand that took us into New Castle. It was raining slightly as we drove in and still we had a few bugs hit the windshield. I thought that was a little weird but realizing that the corn is tasseling I figured there are a bunch of bugs eating on that and we were driving between two fields of tall corn stalks. So even in the rain the bugs were out there. 

On the way back home the rain had let up. Which we thought was a good thing until we came up to the corn again. First there were a couple of bugs that hit the windshield and then all of a sudden there were hundreds. It got to where I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to see out and I was afraid to run the wipers for fear that I would smear the bug innards far worse than they were already. 

I could see a little fear in Riley's eyes and I have to admit that it felt like a horror movie to me as well.  I have never seen anything like that. Yes I have driven through bugs before, but these were some crazy bugs. Abundance can be good, but this was not one of those times!

Made me think of the plague in Egypt when the locusts came and then made me even more grateful that this will never happen again according to the scriptures.....

Exodus 10:14

Common English Bible (CEB)

14 The locusts swarmed over the whole land of Egypt and settled on the whole country. Such a huge swarming of locusts had never happened before and would never happen ever again.

I have to admit I said a little prayer that we would get home safe and when I pulled into the garage, and took a breath, I noticed that the area right where I look out, as I drive, was not nearly as covered as the rest of the windshield. 

God is good all the time, even in the midst of crazy, crazy bugs!

Blessings!

Warm Rag

What a way to start Spring Break! 

The stomach bug hit and hit hard. This has been quite the season for a family that usually never gets sick with the common bugs, that are going around. We have had them all. Poor Riley, this time he had it the worst. Threw up so hard he broke blood vessels in and around his eyes. (Sorry to be so graphic!) I felt so helpless for him. All I could do was hold a warm wash rag on the back of his neck and ride out the wave. Now that he is on the mend I think Spring Break will be OK. Shew!

As much as I felt for Riley, Jesus felt even more for us.... 

Matthew 9:35-36

Common English Bible (CEB)

Compassion

³⁵ Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.³⁶ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus looked around at us and felt so bad for us. We seemed like sheep. Wandering around, following the sheep in front of us, doing what they were doing only because they were doing it. Not knowing what was right or wrong. Lost and helpless and unable to find our way home.

The good thing for us is that He wasn't helpless. He could do more for us than hold a warm rag on the back of our necks. He came with the solution to our troubled, lost ways.

As we are in the midst of Holy Week let's not miss the  precious gifts our Sweet Jesus brought to us. His teachings of love, forgiveness, and grace. He also gave to us the most precious gift of all...Eternal life. By dying on the cross and and gloriously resurrecting on Easter morning!! 

We don't have to be helpless. We can follow the Shepherd, who gave everything to lead us. We can learn from our Savior and, like Him, be compassionate, loving and show grace. We can be examples of Christ and help others realize that they don't have to be lost and wandering too. 

As Easter Sunday approaches remember the Shepherd who can lead you and everyone around you........home!

Blessings!