Castle "Rikki" Andrews

Bummer Lambs

April 17, 2019May 7, 2019 by Castle "Rikki" Andrews, posted in Growing in Grace

I read this piece on Facebook and thought it interesting, mixed emotions, but came to understand the value of knowing the shepherd’s voice. I did not write this story, the author is unknown, but felt the message a good one to share.

Enjoy!

Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind. These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. Their spirit is broken. These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does? He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keep it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the bummer can hear his heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock. But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first? That is right, the bummer sheep. He knows his voice intimately. It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it. It’s not that it is loved more, it just believes it because it has experienced love one on one. So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But He is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat. We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd. (Author Unknown)

Chiquita Banana…

January 18, 2019April 17, 2019 by Castle "Rikki" Andrews, posted in God Stories

Years ago when I first started my walk with God there was a huge thing about praying for Isreal, praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

I had set up a prayer room in my apartment and I wanted to find an Isreali flag to add to the room. I searched everywhere for one, but could not find one anywhere [before internet].

Weeks passed and frustration set in, so late one night I cried out to God, “Father God, all I want is a tinny tiny little Isreali Flag.

How hard could that be?

The very next morning I was headed into the office when my boss called. He was stuck at his house with his kids and did not have any milk for their breakfast. He asked me if I would mind picking up a gallon and a few bananas.

I dropped them off and headed again toward the office. But then thought that milk and banana sounded nice. So I stopped back at the same store and grabbed one banana and a small milk.

Got back on the road, as I drove and prayed I ate my banana and drank my milk. The tag on the banana was in my way so I pulled it off and stuck it on the tip of my left index. I continued to drive and pray.

Sitting at a red light I suddenly saw it…

A tinny tiny little Isreali flag attached there on my Chiquita banana sticker.

Of course, the guy in the car next to me thought I was a nut because all I could do was jump up and down in my seat as I pointed to what he might have only thought was my banana. LOL

God is so cool. He did the impossible for me that morning and used Chiquita to deliver.

On a side note, I’ve been told that for me to purchase that banana with an Isreali flag in a Houston supermarket was not possible.

The God of impossibilities strikes again.

This sticker has been taped in my Bible since that morning. One of my most favorite God stories.

Brussels Sprouts…

December 25, 2018April 17, 2019 by Castle "Rikki" Andrews, posted in Life in My Lane

Today is Christmas Day. Not a lot of Merry in the room at the moment. I need to shower, put clothes in the dryer, and… coffee… coffee is in there somewhere, I know it is.

Got the clothes in the dryer and coffee has been had, I even ate some Brussels Sprout Parmesan with sour cream. I love Brussels sprouts; I can eat them every day and not get tired of them. I used to eat them a lot when I was younger, but over the years I have lost the things I have loved; things like Brussels sprouts, things like reading, and writing. Spending time with God every day and reading my Bible.

I got married, and over time my life conformed to living in his world. Liking what he liked and doing things he wanted to do. We bought ice cream, the kind he wanted and watched the shows he liked. Went to bed when he wanted to go. Life began to be an on eggshells kind of life and God forbid if I didn’t pay attention. Fourteen years of walking out a life of tiptoeing around his kingdom. I’m so glad I don’t have to do that anymore.

So now I get to learn about who I am and figure out the things I like in life. Remind myself that I love things like Brussels sprouts and I get to go to bed when I want. I’m still working on finding the flavor of ice cream I like; vanilla, chocolate, pistachio… wondering if I even like ice cream at all. I can’t remember ever eating it before I got married. However, when I do buy it I find I eat it way too much.

This past weekend, I was blessed to receive a six-foot leather duo recliner sofa, armchair and ottoman, end table, bedside table, a full-size four-poster bed, Beauty rest mattress, and box springs. I had prayed last week, on Thursday about getting furniture, by Friday morning it was being delivered. God is so good to me.

My living room has been my bead studio for the past few years. I don’t entertain in my home, so I haven’t been very concerned with where anyone might set if they should come to visit. Then this past month I have been thinking more about my calling, my true calling, which is not beading or trying to make it into a business. I’m called to be a writer, a public speaker. Motivational speaker… like Tony Robbins move on over kind of speaker.

A few weeks after moving to Houston I asked God “Where do I go from here? What next?” Deep in my spirit, I heard him reply, “Take no thought I will tend to you.”

That was in 2011, and here it is the end of 2018… He has always kept His promise to me. I, of course, have not been very successful at the “take no thought” part of His instructions.

In the process of thinking about this over the last few weeks, I have realized what I have known for some time now, that keeping the beads and beading studio cluttering up the place I am actually “taking thought.” Thinking that I would be able to make something that someone would buy and possibly make a living at it, pay my bills and build an empire kind of thing.

Taking thought.

Not only has that not worked out for me, but it has hindered my success in developing my true call. How can I call myself a “writer” if I have not written anything of value? What am I called to write? Should I write novels? Or blog? I know that whatever I write I want it to be inspirational. When others read my writing I want them to be uplifted, encouraged and inspired. To see a way to make it through whatever it is that they’re going through. Whether it concerns health issues, financial problems, and relationship or self-image problems. To be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is not the light of an oncoming train.

So I’m getting rid of all my beads. Turning my place into a regular home with furniture that is inviting. I’m still not going to be entertaining much, but I’m also sure that it will be more inviting for people. Who knows? Entertaining? Well, Domino’s does deliver.

Today, my Christmas day will be spent alone with M.A.S.H. 4077, my pup and kitty by my side, and a maybe nice long hot bath. Which is where I think I’m headed now.

Oh, and plotting out where I want to place my new furniture.

Merry Christmas!