May 15th, 2021
There is something magical and glorious about heading to the lake after a long day of planting in the garden.
The sun was still high in the sky as Andrei and I drove to meet the kids. .We passed through beautiful farmlands all along the way… sheep grazing in the pastures, cows slowly chomping tall spring grasses, goats prancing around in their pens, and chickens pecking in search of grain.
I love studying working farms and I’m fascinated by the vast differences from one farm to the next. I particularly enjoy taking in the incredible resourceful and creative means by which others go about their projects.
I stopped to take some photos of the sheep grazing along the hillside. Andrei pulled off to the side, while I jumped the small wooden fence - thankfully remembering in time such a thing as an electric fence!
As soon as I got close, though, a huge black cow standing nearby got spooked and took off across the pasture - subsequently further spooking the flock of sheep who took off after the cow.
From the roadway the sheep looked stunningly beautiful - serene and calm. Their white fleeces stood out against the dark blue sky and vibrant green grass.
As I stood, gazing at them from a distance, they slowly began making their way toward me… and then I really saw them. Wow.
They looked rough. What looked fluffy and white from the roadside was actually incredibly dirty, matted, and filthy. Some of them had been shorn in such a way - you could only imagine something went wrong before, during, or after the shearing process.
I tried to photograph them as the sun poked from behind, but they remained too far for me to get anything decent. The cow, however, who initially ruined the whole zen-like scene, was insistent about capturing my attention.
I walked back to the turn off where Andrei patiently waited… (He’s always waiting for me - waiting for me as I wait for the sun, or wait for the sun, the sheep, the lighting, the wind. He’s a good man.)
I walked back to where he waited thinking how differently these sheep looked up close - as opposed to how they looked as I drove past the pasture earlier.
I thought about these sheep the whole way home. How they looked one way up close and another way from a distance.
The picture of one particular animal stood out from the whole flock. One little lamb - dirty and matted - one side shorn and ragged. And as he walked, he dragged his coat along across the ground.
I know we’re compared often to sheep in Scripture… going astray, going our own way - described as been stubborn, stupid, simple.
Reminds me of these spooked sheep that just fled from some crazy lady trying to get a photograph.
Reminds me of the sad looking lambs for whom I felt incredible compassion.
And I remembered my Shepherd. No matter my condition, my dirt, shame or pain… His compassion never fails. Great is His faithfulness!
I can’t say it any better than Scripture:
Psalm 23:1-3 “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
This is what I need...
Isaiah 40:10-11 “Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
This is what I need!
Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
So thankful for such a gracious God who never turns His face from all that is wrong with me. But rather collects me up in His arms, calling me His own and equipping me with everything good!
