Wisdom – The Shepherd's Daughter

A Word from the Wise

Posted on March 12, 2022March 14, 2022 by Shelley

Some notes are worth keeping. I tucked this one in the back of my spiral-bound journal, where it resided, undisturbed, for the next 13 years. I pulled it out today in remembrance of its author.

Alan and my husband served together as church elders for nearly a decade, until a painful conflict with another church leader caused our family to leave the warm fellowship we had called “home.” One day, in the midst of the emotional turmoil swirling around this toxic situation, a note arrived in the mail. The front of the card, printed on ivory cardstock, read:

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

I was touched that Alan, a busy Wyoming cattle rancher, would take the time to create such a thoughtful and timely card. Inside, he had handwritten a relevant Bible passage and penned a personalized prayer. This was not surprising, since Alan was both well-versed in Scripture and a dedicated warrior in prayer.

Last Saturday, the Lord called Alan unexpectedly home. He is now in the presence of the Savior he so genuinely loved and faithfully followed. Today is Alan’s Celebration of Life. His life is easy to celebrate. His legacy is desirable to emulate.

I never forgot Alan’s simple message of validation and hope and often thought of it over the years. I’m sharing it today in his honor. And just in case someone else needs this reminder, like I did, during a difficult season of life.

Thank you, Alan. You were right.

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. (Proverbs 15:23-24, NLT)

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If you’d like to learn more about Alan’s amazing life, here’s a link to his obituary:

https://www.schradercares.com/obituary/Alan-Kirkbride?fbclid=IwAR20p_2j50yBqgm9ma0uzWTI7NJr6WY14MSqsZclmZOb6WIxZwx7yCdQ8g8

Call Me Old-fashioned

Posted on January 15, 2016January 28, 2016 by Shelley

I’m used to being called “old.” Teenage daughters make sure of that.

But I had never been called “old-fashioned.” Until the other day.

I was extolling the benefits of marriage to a young unmarried gal at work. I shared how my husband and I had been blessed with three wonderful daughters and had recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. I hoped it might serve as an inspiration, an example worth emulating.

Instead, I was dismissed as being “old-fashioned.”

Ouch.

I pondered her perspective.

To her generation, monogamy is monotonous. Marriage? An archaic institution, a mere piece of paper. Traditional family values have gone the way of land lines and snail mail.

I suddenly felt out of touch and out of style.

Then the Lord brought this verse to mind:

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.'” (Jeremiah 6:16, NIV)

Commentators on this verse agree that the image here is of travelers who have lost their way. They’re standing at a crossroads, where many paths converge. Which way should they go? The Scripture answers by encouraging weary wanderers to choose the “ancient” paths, the “good” way.

The Hebrew word for “ancient,” or “old” (in the NLT) is defined as: (of) long duration, everlasting, eternal. The word “good” can also be translated: beautiful, beneficial, best.*

Just because something is “old” doesn’t mean it has lost its relevance. God’s principles are timeless, eternal, intended for every generation. Choosing to follow His ways isn’t outdated or old-fashioned.

It is wise.

…look into the Scriptures, they are the best directory to us… (John Gill)

The benefit of sticking to God’s time-tested paths is also laid out for us in this verse: You will find rest for your souls.

I love the way Matthew Poole describes this “soul rest” in his commentary:

…you will find God to stand by you, and be a sanctuary to you. You will find things mend with you; it will be well with you…you will be satisfied and quiet; you will not doubt any longer which way to follow…”

Isn’t this the kind of well-being we’d all welcome? The type of satisfaction we should each seek, regardless of age?

I shared this verse with the young woman the following week. I am praying that she considers it.

Each of us, at various points in our lives, will encounter figurative forks in the road, those spiritual crossroads. Let God’s reliable Word be your guide. Trust that His plans for you are good. Walk in His paths and you will find true satisfaction and rest.

Call me old-fashioned. I don’t care.

His Word is timeless.

His heart is wise.

His ways are best.

Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation. (Psalm 90:1b, HCSB)

*Definitions are from The NAS Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon.