Once upon a time, LONG, LONG AGO, IN A FAR AWAY LAND lived a little shepherdess named Maria. She was a picture of beauty and LIVED IN A TIME OF INNOCENCE.

Maria loved to play with the young lambs romping up and down the hillsides. Her Uncle Peter was the shepherd who looked after her father’s flock. Maria spent many hours talking to him as they tended the flocks together.

Peter was a single man and Maria, although young, knew deep down that he was very lonely at times although he never told her that.

Peter was quite fond of his niece and enjoyed the time they spent together. He watched how she loved the sheep, her family, surroundings, and life in general. Everything she said and did had such a sweet innocence to it.

One day Maria didn’t seem to be her usual cheerful self. Her uncle asked if she was going with him to the far hillside she loved so much.

“NOT TODAY,” she quietly said.

“But why not?” asked Uncle Peter.

“I have things to think about right here,” replied Maria in her childlike small voice.

“I see, then maybe I should leave you be for awhile,” Uncle Peter came back with, as he walked away.

Later he came back to check on Maria and saw her sadly holding one of the small lambs. She looked up at Peter as he got closer and whispered, “even a lamb has TWICE THE LOVE he needs and more.”

“What do you mean by that my dear?”

Maria continued,” Well his mother loves him, I love him, and mostly, God loves him.”

“Yes” Peter replied, not fully understanding what his niece was getting at.

“Last evening I heard a SHEPHERD’S PRAYER asking God to send him someone to love while he looked after the flock but he added to the prayer, only if he deserved it. Uncle Peter, that was you, and don’t you know WE ALL NEED LOVE and you do deserve being loved too. I love you and God loves you so one day He will send a lovely lady for you to love and for her to love you back. You are going to meet her in the village.”

“Thank you Maria but I did not mean for you to hear my prayer and make you sad and for that I am sorry.” Peter gave his niece a hug as she smiled up at him.

Seven months later, Maria’s smile was even bigger when Peter met his future bride in the village just as Maria had said. Maria was right, and to this very day, it can be said that WE ALL NEED LOVE and maybe far more so, than back then.

Once upon a time, LONG, LONG AGO, IN A FARAWAY LAND, the shepherds were tending their sheep. They felt blessed and decided to settle down in the pasture and pray, A SHEPHERD’S PRAYER that could be heard for miles around. The prayer was powerful, full of spirit and gratefulness. One of great beauty sent to our Lord above.

God heard their prayer and sent TWICE THE LOVE down to them as they kneeled. He multiplied their herd two fold and provided rain and sun for the flock. His love was abundant.

In the town, the prayer was felt. There would be no fighting, no, NOT TODAY. This day would bring about A TIME OF INNOCENCE and understanding that only true communication with God can bring. The power of the voices in the pasture brought the people together for a time of communion and appreciate. A moment without discord. A moment with joy. That is what prayer can do.

With all the hate in the world, it is nice to know that the power of prayer is still strong AND that our Lord listens with open ears and is willing to bless us with His Glory. It is in these days as in the days of our past that WE ALL NEED LOVE, God’s love.

Long, long ago, in a far away land, during a time of innocence, I overheard a shepherd’s prayer. He proclaimed to the heavens that we all need love, twice the love, but not today, because he would be too busy working…

However, I’ve use #3 rather recently.