It has been a while since I have posted a Wisdom Wednesday, but now that my EMT classes are over, and because I have a good friend who encourages and motivates me, I decided to post one today. Thank you, Randell!
Have you ever been caught by surprise and left wondering, “How did that just happen?!”
While looking over proverbs that I had noted months ago, Proverbs 27:23 jumped out at me— “Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds.” That’s only part of the entire proverb, but it stood out to me for a few personal reasons, and I realized how multi-faceted it is. It’s not just about flocks and herds, being a farmer, or finances; it’s about stewardship, leadership, and relationships. Good shepherds know their sheep, good leaders know their people, and good relationships are kept intact when we know and love each other in the way we each need to feel loved. If we neglect to “know the face of our flocks” or “put our heart into caring”, as the literal Hebrew implies, we may find ourselves caught by surprise when something or someone slips away.
“It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” —George Lorimer
“For willful waste makes woeful want, and I may live to say, ‘Oh! How I wish I had the bread that once I threw away!’” —Unknown
“When you’re dying of thirst it’s too late to think about digging a well.” —Japanese Proverb
“He who would enjoy the fruit must not spoil the blossoms.” —Gaelic proverb
“When men say [“Oh, I’ve loaded my shotgun”], ‘cause I know when men say that, they’re trying to pretend they have taken their position of leadership. You don’t need to load your shotgun, you need to love your daughter. You need to know your daughter. You need to pray with your daughter. You need to invest in your daughter, ‘cause the main thing is not to blow his head off, but to keep her heart.” —Mark Driscoll, pastor in Honor Your Father and Mother
“Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.” —Proverbs 27:23, 24 NLT
“Effective leaders are engaged in the lives of the people they are leading and are constantly seeking to understand how they can create an environment in which people succeed.” —Nathan Mellor, president of Strata Leadership, LLC
“He who wants to travel far takes care of his beast.” —French proverb
If you liked this, you might also like… Wisdom Wednesday: Neglect Destroys
Rene Yoshi
Sweet Rains 
July 15th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
“or someone slips away.” and 9 yrs. since, is a daily heartbreaking lesson to learn… the weeds took over my garden because of my lack of inattentiveness… forgiveness was given but the “two becomes one” is no more…
July 15th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
I’m sorry, Brent. I have heard a lot of men say the same thing. Although women can experience something similar, often times it’s different… not better or worse, just different. The important thing is to learn from our mistakes, right? ((Hug))
July 15th, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Great post, Rene. It’s good to see your wisdom posts again.
July 15th, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Thank you, Bill!
July 15th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Thank you Rene, I very seldom comment on posts and such because there is so much to to say and I for one have difficulty expressing myself when it comes to writing. I only write because maybe the Lord wants someone, somewhere to use this experience for their benefit. I have no idea. I do know if I say nothing then it kinda bugs (for lack of a better word) me, then if I do comment then I feel the need to express myself a little more. 🙂 This Wisdom Wednesday reminder and my 1st comment is not a “sit on the pity pot” or “woe is me” type of thing. The Lord has blessed me with joy and many blessings that only He can give for decades. Yes we learn from our mistakes, I do get disappointed when I do not bring honor and glory to our Lord. I’m getting better but thankfully because of who He is, I’m still a work in process 🙂 It is always a blessing and treat when you post a Wisdom Wednesday or anything else that you are enlightened with. Thank you Rene … 🙂
July 15th, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Aww, thank you, Brent! He’s still working on me, too!
July 15th, 2015 at 4:20 pm
Jesus said He knew His sheep and they knew Him, and when one went missing He left the other 99 and went searching for him. He knew the state of His flock. Very apropos Rene and if I might interject a thought here. God’s ministries come in all shapes and sizes. Jesus said if you gave me water or food you ministered, if you visited me in prison or when sick you ministered. Whether you enlighten or encourage someone through a blog post or through a macro lens to show that God is interested in the tiniest details you are ministering and have a ministry. You say you only have a few followers. Jesus preached His best sermons to just 12 men. Thanks Rene, I pray you continue with your gifted ministries of blogs and nature pics.
July 15th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
[chuckle] Thank you, Randell! Good point! And yes, Jesus did search for missing sheep. It made me think of the part where He also said that a hired hand doesn’t care for the sheep like He, the Good Shepherd, does in speaking about religious leaders.
July 15th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
yes if more religious leaders put their hearts into their flocks as much as they do their sermons and agendas the church would be a much healthy and pleasant place
July 15th, 2015 at 5:33 pm
I agree!
July 15th, 2015 at 6:54 pm
I’ve missed your posts! ❤️ takes care of it all doesn’t it? More than just saying it but knowing how to love and expressing it in your own way is such a beautiful gift from God
July 15th, 2015 at 11:09 pm
Does it mean I also need to take care of myself too?
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July 15th, 2015 at 11:28 pm
Yes!
July 27th, 2015 at 6:24 am
Thanks