My Sheep Hear

Series: Hear God

John 10:27 ESV

When I woke up this morning I was happy.

I think it was because I remembered the current crochet project I was working on. It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy.

I remembered the colors and the variety of yarns I was using.

I smiled.

See, I love to crochet. I really am an addict. I learned to crochet when I was 12 years old. My Mother’s Mother taught me. I remembered her crocheting all the time.

My grandmother and I shared that connection. Frequently when I am working on a scarf or a blanket I remember my grandmother who taught me to crochet. She also taught me to hand quilt. It wasn’t unusual for her to have a large quilt in a three roller frame sitting in her large dining room.

By the time I was old enough to do a whole quilt the frames were different, but the hand quilting technique was the same.

Grandma has been in heaven now for more than 30 years and I still miss her today. She was a confirmed Methodist and was church pianist. She made beautiful quilts and she crocheted delicate lace like doilies. She had a wonderful giggle that drew you into her heart. Grandma Rubie was a true gem. I don’t know the story about why she was named Rubie instead of Ruby but I’m sure there was a reason.

I know she loved Jesus and Jesus loved her. That’s really what matters.

John 10:27 tells us, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

She was a dedicated follower. She heard the voice of the master.

Every time she had an opportunity when she was small she practiced playing the piano. Day after day and year after year she also learned memory verses.

Growing up she sang in church choir, and she played the piano.

The Master knew her and she knew the Master.

In the beginning of John 10 we are told that Jesus is the good shepherd.  The shepherd knows His sheep.

That thought wasn’t unusual for Jesus’ audience the day he first preached about the sheep. Every shepherd in the crowd that day understood what Jesus meant about knowing their sheep. In the first century every shepherd knew every sheep. If one sheep was missing, they knew it.

That may seem impossible to know an entire flock of sheep but think of sheep in terms of our pets. In today’s world we name our dogs, cats, and horses and we know each animal by name. Even if we have a dog or a cat who had several pups or kittens we would know the difference of each pup or kitten.

We would know their name.

Beyond that we would know their characteristics and their preferences.

And so it is with God.

Even identical twins are known by God. Scripture tells us in Matthew 10:30 even the hairs on our head are numbered. So if identical twins are difficult for us to tell apart, God knows even how many strands of hair each one has.

John went on to tells us in John 10:27 that God knows us.

Each person is known by God.

I don’t believe God only knows those who have turned to Him. I believe God sings to each person continually wooing them to come receive His love. Personally I don’t believe God ever gives up on anyone.

God continues wooing them all the days of their life. God loves so much He wants every person to turn to Him.

If you are praying for someone, keep praying. Don’t give up.

Deborah

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