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Woolgathering

Woolgathering

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Woolgathering--Sheep being shearedI have never witnessed anyone shearing a sheep. I think it would be a hot, tiring job for both sheep and shearer. Perhaps they get through it by woolgathering, letting their thoughts roam.

Woolgathering began with a literal meaning.

According to Miriam Webster dictionary, woolgathering originally meant “gathering loose tufts of wool … caught on bushes and fences as sheep passed by.” That would have taken a long time with few results and little income. Those gathering wool probably appeared “to wander aimlessly.”

Eventually woolgathering developed a figurative meaning.

It meant minds wandering aimlessly and foolishly.

Occasional thoughts with no purpose help us relax.

We enjoy time to:

  • Sit on a porch and shoot the breeze
  • Daydream under a shade tree
  • Listen to waves lap against a beach

Too much woolgathering gets us in trouble.

We want to pay attention when we:

  • Work
  • Drive
  • Complete paperwork

A word to the wise:

Work when we need to work. Woolgather when we have time to relax.

“Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground” (Proverbs 14:18 MSG).

 Thanks to Jeri Stone for the suggestion. Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.

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A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

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A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing--sheep on a mountainWe read about a wolf in sheep’s clothing in Aesop’s Fables and the Bible. Both show the danger of an enemy who looks like a friend.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing looks harmless.

The sheep skin disguises the wolf. However, looks can deceive.

  • The wolf is not a sheep.
  • The wolf is still a wolf.

People with evil plans can look or sound harmless.

They hide their true colors and pretend to be friends. They:

  • Dress well
  • Speak with kindness
  • Act helpful

Yet, they are dangerous. They still have evil plans.

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 2--two wolvesWolves in sheep’s clothing can be found almost everywhere:

  • Work
  • Church
  • Families
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • School

Scams occur every day. They come to us through:

  • Telephone
  • Mail
  • Visits
  • Internet

As a result, we must be careful.

We want to love and be kind to everyone. We want to trust people. At the same time, we must not accept what we know is false.

Be prepared. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

  • Learn right from wrong.
  • If something does not sound right, check it out.

God gave us brains. We need to use them.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15 NIV).

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Photos courtesy of Pixabay.