Life Plan Devotion #168 [Follow] & my father [Oy, vey!]

Hi, Everyone.
My father called me today. He was angry with me. Long story...much past stuff...yuck. I tried to do the right thing, take the high road, by telling him that I didn't think this was the right time to talk (since he was so angry). Anyway, he kept going on and on. I finally hung up, because I was crying and didn't want him to hear me cry. Well, you don't hang up on your 78-year-old father. He was livid then, and he called back twice, leaving scathing answer machine messages.
I forgive him. Wounded people wound. I know that. It's some consolation.
After spending a few hours feeling like poo, though, I knew I needed to go to prayer, and lay it down at the Cross. Imagine my surprise, though, when, fairly early on in prayer, I hear the Holy Spirit gently say, "Idolatry."
"What?! Idolatry? What do You mean, Lord?" He sure had my attention, as I waited to hear His answer.
"When you allow anyone or anything other than God to tell you who you are, you replace God with that person or thing, and that is idolatry."
Wow! I was allowing my father and his opinion of me to color how I saw myself. [Yes, I do realize I'm 53 years old.] By doing that, I've allowed my father to be an idol in my life, replacing my Heavenly Father. I've been mulling it over all evening, and the Lord is right. His (God's) opinion is the only one that counts.
What if I hadn't listened for my Shepherd's voice, for the guidance I so needed today. I would feel upset, discouraged, depressed, and abandoned. As long as I keep my focus on my Heavenly Father, I feel calm, encouraged, joyful, and accepted as His beloved.
Thanks for letting me share. May it encourage you to listen ever closely to the Shepherd. Have a blessed day. Please pray for those having surgery today and those recovering from surgery. Let's lift each other up in prayer.

Life Plan Devotion #168 [Follow]

John 10:2-4 [NLT] "The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice."

     A shepherd knows each of his sheep by name, and they know and respond only to his voice. In like manner, Jesus knows our personality, needs, feelings, and desires. He even knows our faults and our sins, yet He still loves us. He calls out to us and leads us in the way that is best for us. To be set free from whatever is painful in our lives, we must respond to the guiding voice of our Shepherd, who knows us best and loves us most.

What this has to do with weight loss: Those of us with food issues have been following our thoughts of food for far too long. It's time to follow a new "shepherd." Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He will lead us if we are His sheep and will consent to following Him. We must listen for His voice, though. He will speak to us, even about what to eat, if we want Him to do so.

Today, respond to the voice of the Shepherd, as He leads and guides you. Listen to the Gaither Friends singing a medley of "Gentle Shepherd" and "I Will Serve Thee."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ1PQnqpoQk

Blessings,
Mary