What our thoughts focus on tends to tell us where our heart resides.  We may focus on our loved ones, our hobbies, fun and games with friends, climbing the corporate ladder, earning a vast estate, and collecting things… reminding me of the popular saying, “The one with the most toys wins.”

Don’t get me wrong.  These are not, in and of themselves, inherently wrong.  Instead, it’s the how and why behind that which we focus on.  I’m no different than anyone else.  I like my “things” – especially my collection of reproduction Delft, particularly the tiles hung in my kitchen which remind me of our Dutch heritage.  My grandfather had remodeled their kitchen, putting Delft tiles into the wall design, something I had always admired.

But these things mean nothing to my spiritual and eternal well being. Instead, it’s who I heed in my heart, whose word I focus on to direct my life.  And I willingly admit, it’s not always easy to stay focused… for this life calls in all its many splendored ways.  So I especially appreciate my favorite Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24 (NIV):  “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand - when I awake, I am still with you… ²³ Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting with you.”

Years ago on the farm, a gate was accidentally left open.  Late that evening, Ed’s dad got a phone call.  Cows were in the fields of another farmer about a mile or so up the main road, and the caller was trying to determine to whom they belonged.  Ed and his dad went up to see if they were their cows, and, sure enough, they were.  But they were scattered all over!  The neighbors wondered how in the world they’d gather the whole herd and get them back to our farm.  “No problem,’ said Ed’s dad.  He simply started clapping his hands and began walking up the road.  And to the stunned amazement of the neighbors and other farmers, every one of those cows calmly and peacefully gathered behind their leader and followed him home… back to the safety of their own pasture. 

For you see, those cows had been trained since they were little calves to come to the clapping – it meant food and a clean stall in the barn. As they grew older and became part of the milking herd, they continued to respond to their master’s call… for clapping still meant food and a clean stall in the barn at milking time!

And isn’t this how we respond to our master, our shepherd… our Lord?  If our heart has been trained to listen to His words of wisdom, we will respond and heed His call.  When we find ourselves in time of need, we’ll seek Him and follow His leading along His path.  As Jesus said in John 10:14:  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…”

God knows my every thought, He establishes my path and guides my way when I wander off, calling me back to His side.  What peace and comfort are found in His words.  And may it always be His voice that I hear and pay attention to.

Your Voice I Hear

Linda A. Roorda 

On You above my thoughts do focus

You see my heart and the depths thereof,

The secrets hidden away from the world

For You know the thoughts that reside within.

Yet I freely admit I wander away

What You expect is beyond my grasp.

Though I stumble, and now and then fall

You pick me up to try once again.

As Your tender voice calls gently to me

In the midst of life and trials of pain,

What shall I fear though my frets alarm

When your face I seek and You are my guide.

May I ever hear Your voice in my ear

But more important may I heed the nudge

Of a still small voice down deep in my heart

A voice whose wisdom guides my every step.

It’s a voice that brings singing to my soul

With a joy that fills my heart with peace.

For I cannot fail to see You around

You’re always there to hear my heart’s song.

How great is Your love that You’d call me near

Close to Your side from out of this world,

A world of cares, a world of troubles

Gently enfolding, Your love touches me.

For You called my name before time began

You cared for me with a tender joy.

You carried my heart gently in Your hands

And stretched out Your arms to wrap me in peace.

You gave away Love, the depth of Your heart

To make my heart sing with joy each new day.

You lift up my soul and fill me with praise

As Your love for me encompasses all.

~~ 2015 ~~

Photo taken by my friend's husband, Hugh Van Staalduinen, 

of churches where I grew up in East Palmyra, NY.