Gentle Shepherd
I call this little country road my “Happy Place.” I love the aging live oaks and the green pastures stretching to the horizon. When this little flock wanders into view, I feel an inexplicable peace fill my heart.
They graze, heads bent to the rich sod, without worry or fear. They know they have a shepherd who cares for them – who has brought them to this place of provision and safety. They don’t anxiously look around, anticipating trouble. They don’t race all over the fields trying to find a better place.
Content to be in this place, they leave the rest to the one in whom they trust. They know him and he knows them. They are his own. He only needs to speak and, knowing his voice, they follow. One day flows into another in peaceful trust. If trouble comes, their shepherd will protect them. – from the storms, from anything that would seek to do them harm.
We have a good, gentle Shepherd. Daily He leads us to the place of provision and safety. He watches over us. We have nothing to fear. He knows us by name, and we know His voice. We can rest in the sure knowledge that He is good, and we are precious to Him.
“I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Psalm 23: 1-3
Blessings,
Linda
What a great analogy your have shared. I needed to read that this morning. Thank you Linda.