To have Jesus and his Father watch over us. Protecting us. Caring for us. All because we follow Him. That does not sound so hard to do. Just listen to what He says. The words are all good. His promise of eternal life, if we do what He asks, is our reward. Easy.

Sometimes, we have our own agenda. What is important to us in our life is our goal to achieve or keep our goal where it is…It is what we want. For instance, our careers; maybe a little voice tells us to move on or to take a risk in our future. We are reluctant. We are comfortable. We want to make our own destiny.

God does have a master plan. He knows us. He speaks to us. We hear Him in our heart. He calls us by name. How can we ignore His words of comfort, wisdom, or reason??? We can’t. We all like to be called by our name. It is who we are. Just as a master calls to his pet, or a cowboy calls to his cattle or a herder calls to his sheep…..Each of them listen. God will not call to us in a herd, but quietly whisper our name. Do not block Him out. He might have something worthwhile to say to you.

He knows us—the color of our hair—our smile—what makes us “tick.” Speak to Him in prayer…God is always calling you by name. He will always be our Shepherd. Listen.

-Marie Mullen