There have been times in my life I have essentially said this to my Lord, the Creator of the Universe: I love You, I believe in all that You are, but I’m going to split for a while and go learn some life lessons the hard way. I’m sure you understand.
Then I go off into the cold, wild world alone and make a mess of myself. I listen to things that do not enrich my life. I don’t take care of this body that carries my spirit. I stop worshipping God in church. I stop reading His word. I don’t include God in my choices or my concerns. I jump into the swift river of worldly ways and every single time I get washed back onto the banks scraped up, drowning and exhausted. Thank God.
Today God said lovingly, “Stay with Me” and it touched me deeply. I want to stay in His fold so very much. A “fold” is a flock of sheep and a safe enclosure for sheep where a shepherd tends to them together for their protection. He leads them to green fields and still waters, he calls them each by name and they recognize his voice. Strangers do not come in, they do not recognize his voice nor mingle with his sheep. If one of his sheep is ill, he restores it to health. If one goes missing, he leaves the flock to find it and brings it home. The sheep are safe in his fold, they thrive under his shepherding. They are not alone and vulnerable, but secure and loved.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28
Meeting God at the Park 