You all are going to think I’m crazy, Tony did. He would just shake his head when I told him what I do every day and he would say, “Honey, they are animals and it’s the circle of life. Don’t you know that coyotes have to feed their young too” The wise words of a man who grew up in the country but not words I wanted to hear.

About a mile from our house there is a flock of sheep that is untended. They are completely neglected, with the exception of food and water. Thank the Lord! Their wool is matted and hangs to the ground, as they have not been sheered in several years. They are sad creatures completely out of sight and mind of their shepherd.

It was early spring, my first year living out in the country, about 15 years ago, I saw the first lambs of the year in the pasture. It was so exciting. They were beautiful, perfect in every way. They had snow-white fleece, little pink noses, standing on wobbly legs close to their mothers. I was excited to drive to work the next day, so I could stop on the roadside to see the lambs. As I approached the pasture, I could hear loud bleating. I searched to see where the cries were coming from, and I saw a coyote killing one of the little lambs. I instantly went into Mom mode. Where was the shepherd? His flock was calling/screaming for him, he was nowhere to be found. I pulled over, honked my horn, jumped out of my car screaming, trying to scare it away, wishing I had a gun, and hoping the shepherd would hear us all screaming (me and the sheep) and come running, but the animal stared me down, aggressively snarled and took the lamb. No shepherd came to rescue the little lamb. I was devastated and cried all the way to work. Needless to say, it ruined my day and made a permanent mark on my heart. Since that day, every morning when I drive by this flock, I pray of over them. I ask God to protect them, but I also ask him to change the heart of the shepherd toward his sheep. A good shepherd would be watching and protecting them. He would lovingly care for them so they would not be lost. He would clean them, so their fleece was worthy to be used or sold. They break my heart every day. I cannot tell you the number of tears I have cried over these poor sheep and their little lambs over the years.

Tonight, I have been thinking what life would be like without my Good Shepherd. Honestly, I can’t even wrap my mind around being without Him. The thought is unbearable. I know without a doubt that if I ever wandered off the path, my Shepherd would leave the flock to come to find me. That no matter how many times I fall, He will be there to pick me up, and in my sadness, He will give me hope. Jesus gave me that promise when I accepted Him as my Savior. The passage below is one of my favorites in the Bible. It speaks to the length He goes to save us.

Luke 15:3-7

Then Jesus told them this parable. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Father, Thank You for always coming to my rescue. You said the path would not always be an easy one, as it is narrow and there are pitfalls, jagged edges and rocks along the way, but You are a God of promises and You have picked me up and helped me along the way. You are my loving Shepherd; I am so humbled and grateful to be your daughter. I will follow You, my Good Shepherd and drink of Your living water. Wash me white as the fleece of a new lamb and feed me Your Holy word as bread to strengthen me.

Father, please keep a watchful eye on the sheep up the road and give their shepherd a new heart for his flock. Amen.

I LOVE YOU TONY! (I yell this out every night as if he is sitting downstairs with the tv turned up and can’t hear me.) I miss you. XOXO CL