The Shepherd

          

The Shepherd

“He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”

John 10:4 (KJV)

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            He was only three and a half the first time he went to the hospital. He was there for about ten weeks that first time and was so sick and scared. So were his mom and dad.

            It was not an easy time for any of them. The hospital was sixty miles from their home and  he had three sisters, ages fifteen months to eight years who had been left at home. Mom and Dad took turns being with either with him or the girls.

            His parents spent hours at the hospital, holding him and reading stories to him while the toxic chemotherapy drugs dripped into his veins. They all wondered if it would ever end, and if it did, how it would end.

            Every night when he was tucked into bed, his mom put a little picture in his hand. It was a picture of “The Good Shepherd.” She had told him the story so many times they both knew it by heart. He wanted to hear it almost daily; especially the part about how the Good Shepherd would take care of the lambs that were sick.

            Over the next fifteen months, he was in the hospital many times. After a few months the hospital staff became like a second family to him so his parent began to leave him at night to go home to their girls. But before they would leave, he would always ask for his picture of the Shepherd.  He said, “when you aren’t here, I just pretend I am that little lamb in Jesus’ arms.”

            There have been times in my life since then when I have had to follow his example and just pretend to be that lamb in Jesus’ arms.

            When my little ones were small, I like to think of myself as the mother of my little lambs. I would lead them and protect them, knowing that if there was ever a time when I needed the shepherds help, he would be there for me and them.   

            And then as my little ones became teenagers and began to find their own way in the world, they didn’t really want me around, but they had no choice about the Shepherd watching over them.

            I am now one of the older sheep in the flock and I know my Shepherd is still watching over me and will until the very end.

            The words of the twenty third psalms are ones we all know, to me they never become old and as I look back over my life, I know with certainty the Shepherd has been with me and those I love. He has taken care of my every need in life. When I have become frustrated He has led me beside the still waters and restored my soul.

            He alone has led me in the paths of righteousness.

            And when some day it is my turn to go through the valley of death, the good Shepherd will be with me, His rod and staff  will be a a constant comfort to me.

©2011 Brenda J. Young