Caring Shepherd

“Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them also, and bear them up forever.” Psalm 28:9

I can see it all in my mind. A shepherd bends over his little lamb and carefully checks him for burrs, for stickers, for bits of this and that. The little fellow yields to the shepherd’s touch, for he knows the shepherd cares for him. The shepherd is tender in his examination, and with his keen eye, he misses nothing.

Finally, the shepherd says, “Now it is time for shearing. The heat is coming with the summer. We will need to climb those mountains into the heights to find the sweet grasses for you to eat, and there will be many hardships, rocks, and slippery slopes to stumble on as we go. I will help you shed this weight of wool you wear, that you may make the journey successfully, and live.”

The lamb shivers a bit as the thick wool drops, clump by clump, onto the dirt. Feeling naked and exposed, he bleats a sad, nervous cry. “I think this will hurt. I think you must not care for me since you are causing me this anguish. My life will surely end.”

The shepherd reassures him, “You will live. I will see to it. I can see what is ahead, and you cannot. I have climbed those mountains myself, and I know what is there. I know every path a little lamb could take. I know every bend in the road. I know every danger and pitfall, so I will be your traveling companion. Have no fear.”

The lamb finally relaxes. He feels lighter. He feels energetic, as if he was free of burdens, and could run all the way to the top. A slight burden enters his heart, and he asks with trembling, “What if the way really is too hard? What if you have misjudged my abilities? What if a wolf comes out of nowhere and tries to get me?”

The good shepherd smiles. “If the way is too hard, I will carry you in my own arms. As for abilities, you will grow as you go. If an enemy attacks out of nowhere, I will beat it back myself. You really have nothing to fear, as long as you stay on the path and follow me.”

The lamb looks up at the shepherd. “Then I will gladly go, if only I am sure that you will not leave me alone on the way.”

The shepherd smiles, proud and happy of his little learning one. “Be sure of this, my beloved, I have tender, compassionate love for you. I promise to never leave you. I will see you safely to the waters of quiet, the shade of the great trees, and the grasses that sustain, where you can rest.”

I see the two of them walking off toward the heights together, heads bent in conversation. I wonder what they talk about?

Great Shepherd, we know You care for us this way. Let us see the ways You tenderly keep and hold us in our lives. Amen.