When I was a child, my mother taught me a little poem to help me remember to be careful when crossing the street. In turn, I taught it to my children. And today, I still think of it whenever I take that first step onto a road.

“Stop, look and listen before you cross the street.  
Use your eyes and use your ears before you use your feet!”

When those wise words are followed, we will avoid stepping into a harmful and dangerous situation. And, when those wise words are applied with a Biblical perspective to the choices we face in our lives, we are better equipped to make the right decision.

When we stop to pray, look in God’s word and listen for His answers we will avoid taking that dangerous wrong step. But how do we learn to hear Him?



The shepherds of ancient Israel spent much of their lives in close proximity to their sheep. As the shepherd watched for hidden dangers in the fields and fed and watered their flock, the shepherd and sheep learned to recognize each other easily. Each night the shepherd led his sheep into the safety of the sheepfold. Often, the fold was comprised of more than one shepherd’s flock. But, the voice of the shepherd was so familiar to his sheep that when night passed and morning came, one call would bring only the sheep which belonged to him to the gate.

As we come to know our Lord and Shepherd, we too, will learn to recognize His voice.



“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

Being in daily communion with Him through quiet times, prayer, worship and service, will deepen our connection with Him.  Soon, His voice will be easily recognized for it will become familiar to our hearts. 


God is our Shepherd and Guide who lovingly cares for us throughout our lives. As we pray for His guidance when faced with a difficult choice we can be sure that He will direct us to safety. So, rather than running on ahead of our Lord, we need to actively pursue His answers by drawing near to Him. For the closer we come to Him, the more easily we will recognize His voice. As we step out in faith, we need to remember to kneel down and pray.

Trusting Him, Joan


“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6).


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22 Comments

  1. Hello, Joan! I also remember that saying about crossing the street...and love how you compared it to how we need to stay close to God! I have especially felt this need lately! Only by keeping a close relationship with Him are we able to serve Him and make wise choices. Thanks for sharing and hosting your link-up!! Have a blessed week!!

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    1. You are so right, Ann! I want to make the right choices...to be certain that I'm following God's will! So, as I grow closer and closer to Him, I am more able to distinguish His voice! Thanks for linking up today!

      Blessings, Joan

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  2. Joan, a big "Amen!" going out this morning. This here is so good >> "The shepherds of ancient Israel spent much of their lives in close proximity to their sheep." May I remember He is ALWAYS in close proximity. An encouraging way to start my week! Blessings!

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    1. Yes...What a blessing it is to be near to the Lord. He promises that when we seek Him we will find Him... Loving that!

      Blessings, Joan

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  3. Joan I love this. That picture of that little lamb looking out that fence and the little poem I hope I can remember as my grandson and I walk out to the mailbox to get the mail. He's only 2 so this will be a great reminder. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Deborah! Have fun with your grandson...2 is such a fun and exciting age!

      Blessings, Joan

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  4. Such an important reminder of how Jesus is our Shepherd. I love the verse you highlighted too.

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    1. Thanks, Mary! That passage in John is one of my favorites!

      Blessings, Joan

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  5. Valerie RichardsonMarch 14, 2016

    So wonderful that our Shepherd wants us to know His voice! And makes His voice known to us! He is the Good Shepherd, indeed. Love this blog and love the little lamb picture!

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    1. Thanks, Valerie! It is amazing, isn't it? The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we will recognize His voice and sense His leading. But even more amazing is that He knows us...and wants to be near us! He is so good!

      Blessings, Joan

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  6. Hi Joan!
    I love this post! I recall the verse as well, but especially enjoy what you shared about the shepherd and sheep. I am not sure if you have ever read Margaret Feinberg's book, Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey, but you would love the chapter about the sheep. The book looks at the parables Jesus used to show us and teach us a number of principles and things about our relationship with Him. Have a blessed day!!

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    1. Hi Pam! I've read some of Margret Feinberg's books, but not that one. Thanks for the heads up as I'm always looking for new inspiring resources!! Blessings, Joan

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  7. Lord, help me to follow You closely all the days of my life. Amen

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    1. I'll add my Amen to that, too! Blessings!

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  8. Hi Joan! Sorry I've been a little MIA-- but hope to be back for a hot minute :-)

    Love this post-- especially the rhyme (I shall be adopting it to use with my Tiny Human!)

    Even more so-- love the analogy. Thanks for sharing and hosting each week :-)

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    1. Hi Sharita! I'm so glad to see you here today! I bet your little one will love that rhyme! It is something that has really stuck with me over the years! Blessings, Joan

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  9. Love this Joan! I love thinking of hearing God's voice and responding. We raise a lot of sheep. The ewes are out in the pasture and as such don't respond to our voice as much. We always have some bum lambs that are dependent on us for everything. They always have an ear out for us. I merely need to step out of the door and say good morning and they come running calling for me. Oh how I long to be like that every morning with God!

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    1. I find it fastening how the methods of caring for sheep has changed over the centuries. In most places now, our sheep are relatively safe and don't have as much need for our watchful eye. However, because they don't "need" us as much, some don't respond as easily to our voices. Hmmm. It's just like us with God, isn't it? When we think we don't need Him, we stop listening and seeking Him...and our relationship suffers. I'm thinking I want to be like one of the "bum lambs" for God! LOL Blessings, Joan

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  10. Thanks so much for this! Lately, we've been praying for a vision for our family, so this definitely applies to us in this season as we also need to "stop, look and listen." Thanks for sharing today!

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    1. I'm glad you were encouraged today, Leslie! Our families are so important and keeping them covered in prayer is a wise thing... I know that God will reveal His vision for your family as you "stop, look and listen"! Blessings & thanks for stopping by! Joan

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  11. So true, Joan. Stopping is the hardest part! Once I stop, it's easier to look and listen, but without stopping, it's futile. I love the picture. So cute!

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    1. Wow...I so agree. We can get so caught up is the "doing" and in the daily activities of our lives that stopping to truly listen to God gets difficult. Even finding a quiet few minutes alone can be challenging. However, when we make the effort, God will bless us with a clearing understanding of His will. You're right. We need to stop in order to get the directions to move again. Blessings, Joan

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