The Lord is My Shepherd

When I was a young person growing up in northern Michigan my uncle and aunt had a sheep farm. I remember auntie taking the baby sheep that were not doing well and caring for them. It was quite an experience! One of my fondest memories is when my dad and mom took our church youth groups to my uncles farm and he taked to us about his experiences of tending the sheep. It was a living illustration.

My mom used to have records of Jim Reeves , some were hymns. He had such a soothing voice. I love the hymn Gentle Shepherd. So often Jesus speaks to us in His still small voice and we need to be still and listen to what He speaks to our hearts. We live in a world full of noise and distractions and it is so easy to be caught up in the fast paced buisiness of the day but our Lord wants to lead us beside the still water, to draw us to a place where we can rest and be refreshed and have our souls fed by His Word. Those times of rest and refreshing strengthen us and enable us to rise in His strength and to shine the light of His love to others.There are so many hurting people in the world who need the love of Jesus.They may be closer than we think.They may be in our own homes and workplaces and even in our own places of worship. Just like I remember my aunt bringing the weak or sick sheep into her home and giving them the extra care they need we need to also care for those we know who are injured emotionally and spiritually. This is showing the love of our Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He loves us as we are even though sometimes we get in messes of our own doing. My uncle told us sometimes the sheep would get caught in a fence or place that they should be able to get out of but seem helpless to know what to do. It is the shepherd who rescues them. I know I have been in need of rescuing before. What does the shepherd do when the sheep do something unwise? Does he leave them because they were stupid and didn't deserve rescuing? No, he tenderly pulls them out of their tangled mess. Jesus the Good Shepherd spoke of leaving the ninety and nine for the one lost sheep. I have been the one lost sheep and I am forever grateful He rescued me! The photos with the sheep are from The Lincoln Natinal Park and living farm when we were there with grandchildren. They loved the sheep.

Have a joy filled week!