The shepherds, that is.

And the harvesters.

And also the pray-ers.

I read the last three verses of Matthew 9 and am left to conclude that God calls me (and each of us) to be at least one of those.

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

I’ve been a harvester and a shepherd.

And I’ve been a pray-er.

But how can I be only a have been?!

I purpose to resume being a pray-er.

And I purpose (again) to be the shepherd my family needs.

Not posted til November 13. Tomorrow I plan to leave on my second mission trip to Mexico this month.

“You can read to me, if you want to.”

“If you want to, you can rub some of this on my back.”

If I want to.

They each knew I could. The question wasn’t about that.

Like this:

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” (Matthew 8:2).

Jesus’ answer?

“I will” (Matthew 8:3).

When the child needs some attention or the disabled needs some help, let me choose a willing heart.

And where I lack the sincere “want to” — well, let me do what’s right anyway.

Posted November 12. I just got home from my third mission trip to Mexico in two months. And in two days I’m to leave on another one!