Blinded by greed

Can you see it?

It’s the horse panel we use for a gate and we’ve had it since we hung the first gate and realized the ground slopes badly.

The gap underneath the gate was much too large, so we swapped out the gate for the panel, due to it’s flexibility, it could be hung much lower.

All of our livestock have been kept inside the fence, because of this panel, but today it was invisible.

Besides being in good pasture all day long, our ram is fed grain twice a day.

He also gets a small amount of alfalfa after his grain in the evening.

But it’s never enough, he’s always in a huge hurry to get to the field in the morning and to the barn in the evening.

This morning he was especially anxious about getting there faster, but I was moving my normal speed, not feeling up to hurrying.

Because he out weighs me by at least a hundred pounds, I am very careful not to let him get pushy or try to force me to do something I don’t want to do.

This morning he was trying to drag me and so I spoke to him and lifted his head so he couldn’t see well.

Normally, this gets him to slow down and quit being so pushy.

Today, he started swinging his head around, trying to get it out of my hand.

It’s a short distance to the field so we were nearly at the panel when I decided to stop and try to calm him.

I spoke to him, still gently but firmly, holding his head up higher.

I’m not sure how it happened, but he suddenly got his head out of my hand and lunged forward.

I was still holding his collar when he blindly jumped, full force, into the panel with me.

Before I could get my feet back under me, his front feet went through the panel and he went down hard, nose first.

I fell too.

We both got up and I helped him get free of the panel and into the field.

The craziest part of it all, was the panel was open, if he’d not been fighting me we would have walked into the field no problem.

As I closed and secured the panel I told him I wasn’t impressed.

Still having other chores to complete, I didn’t reflect on the incident at the time.

(Besides thanking the Lord neither of us were hurt.)

It came back to mind when I was feeding 47 and 49 their nine o’clock bottles.

Both lambs stand at the gate while I open it and lately 49 has been dashing past me the moment it’s open and running all around the barn in a panic while I call him and feed 47.

It seems only fair that 47 should get to eat as soon as possible since he’s not running by me but instead running to me.

And there’s the lesson.

The animals have needs and those needs are regularly filled.

But blind greed has a way of causing not only a hindrance to those needs being filled, it’s caused unnecessary frustration.

Which I’m thankful for.

It is in these unnecessary frustrations that I see myself clearer.

The animals are animals and will never be self disciplined or self controlled, because their understanding is limited, they were not designed to be rational.

But God has granted mankind with not only rational thought, but discernment and self control.

Yet, greed causes blindness in humans as much as in animals.

For greed has another name: covetousness.

Exodus 20:17 KJV — Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Romans 13:9 KJV — For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

‭James 4:1-3 KJV‬
[1] From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? [2] Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. [3] Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

How much sorrow, disappointment, and frustration have I caused my Lord Jesus, because I was blindly following greed instead of seeking my Shepherd?

Frankly, I’m glad I don’t have an answer to this question, but I’m thankful for the warning and the reminder to be on guard against covetousness.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for these lessons. Thank You for showing me the truth in my dealings with the sheep. Thank You for Your continued patience and mercy with me. Thank You for teaching me daily. Lord, please keep covetousness far from me. Let me be quick to discern when I’m lacking gratitude, for desire is held in check through contentment and a thankful heart. Lord, I praise You for giving me so much. My needs have always been supplied by You and I know You always will. Let my life be in line with Your Word:

1 Timothy 6:8 KJV — And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Philippians 4:11 KJV — Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Thank You, Lord! Only through Your salvation can one find all they need, for whether hungry or full, there is assurance in Your salvation. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Our new additions!

This is Persy, short for Persistence.

Our flock grew by three this weekend.

Persy, Sterling, and his twin brother are here and adding a new dimension to farm life.

Persy is milking twice a day and the twins are bottle fed twice a day.

Since Sterling is a buck and our planned father of future kids, we want him to get along with our Ram, David.

This morning, I thought I’d introduce the twins to the field since they’ve sniffed noses a few times with the ram already.

I had a folding chair nearby, so I could monitor the interaction.

David, being far bigger and more powerful was on a leash at first so the little goats could easily get away from him if he didn’t take to them.

All went well, so I let him off his leash and after a few sniffing and animal communication, they seemed to be doing well.

David is a bottle lamb from last year, so he’s very friendly and wants scratches and attention, but after a while he got tired and laid down as close to me as the fence allowed.

It didn’t take long for the twins to take full advantage of the circumstance.

They nibbled his wool, his collar, and both his ears.

They walked all over his back and even tried laying down on him, but slid off.

They would fall off and climb back in on and tumble off again.

They were having a great time.

Of course, the patience eventually ran out and David stood up, dislodging them both.

I had other things to do so to returned the goats to the barn.

David missed them and told me about it, for a while.

If things continue to go this well, they will stay in the field together all day.

My heart is so thankful for God’s blessing us with animals.

I’m reminded of my Good Shepherd as I tend our tiny flock.

What a precious gift it is to know Him.

What a peace comes in the understanding that He knows me!

John 10:14 KJV — I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for the things in life which remind me of Your Word and bring greater understanding of Your truth. Lord, please help me to be a faithful servant, a sheep who sticks close to the Shepherd. Lord, I am sometimes stubborn or foolish and wander from Your Word and Your ways. Please keep me in the straight path. Lead me with Your staff and correct me when I’m in need of it. Let my heart be open before, that my life might bring You glory. Thank You! I know You are with me and that is all I need. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Sheep

These two are our first lambs born on our little farm.

The continual labor of tending livestock has been a joy, although, at times my health requires our son or my husband to fill in for me, which I greatly appreciate.

This small farm has been a desire of mine since I was in highschool.

My husband has shared in it as my support, builder, advisor, co-laborer, and friend.

Our son has put in many hours and the animals are as accustomed to him as to me.

He too enjoys the livestock and has a wish to continue such endeavors on his own in future.

Helping care for farm animals is nothing new to our children, who spent many such hours on my mother’s property.

They have heard stories from both my mother and I on things which occurred in our youth, as my mother grew up on the family farm which is still run by her sister and her family.

Passing on a family heritage is a good thing, but of late, I’ve been praying about my motivation for doing all this.

Seeking the Lord, asking Him, “what’s the point?”

Because I have learned that too often I get off track.

My pride or my ideas or my shortsightedness start to slide me in a direction I don’t want to go.

For if my motivation is faulty, nothing will work out in the end.

It may seem to be prospering at first, but the result won’t be honoring the Lord and thus whatever has come from it will be failure.

For I don’t ever want to forget why God created me and all of mankind.

It wasn’t for people to please themselves that God created them.

Rather, mankind was created to be in daily relationship with their Creator.

Through this relationship all others were to be blessed as well, for mankind does good by one another only through first realizing the good God has done to them.

With this truth as my compass, I want to be certain all I do is from a motivation of honoring my Savior and blessing those around me.

It is with a proper attitude of servanthood that helps me stay to the narrow way and refrain from walking according to my own thoughts.

My heart rejoices at how the Lord uses so much to remind me of His Word and truth.

And while I pray for direction for each detail on the farm, I’m grateful.

I know the Good Shepherd and He knows me.

John 10:27 KJV — My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Lord, please show me my motion and correct wherever it has gone astray. Lord, please help me to hold things lightly, not setting my heart on future plans, but trusting You in all things. Lord, Your ways are perfect. You understand what is best and I want to honor You in all things. Thank You for Your care. Thank You for Your righteousness. Thank You for Your innumerable blessings! Lord, I love You. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

Five Days until Christmas

Photo by Neale LaSalle on Pexels.com

Close your eyes, if you need to, but picture the night sky.

The clouds are absent, the stars are shining.

The sounds around are pastoral, for there are sheep spread out chewing down all that is remaining after the harvest.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8

When suddenly, the darkness broke.

Light, such that no human device can even mimic, shattered the darkness.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:9

Can our minds eye imagine what an angel of the Lord looks like?

I doubt it, but every time they show themselves mankind’s response is fear.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

What must be running through the minds of these men at this moment?

How can we even picture the surprise, relief, and wonder these men must have felt?

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

The children of Israel had been eagerly awaiting the Messiah for hundreds of years and now God was announcing His arrival!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13-14

These shepherds would have no way of knowing all that God would do from the moment of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Some of them may not have lived long enough to listen to His teachings or feel the healing touch of His hand.

It’s most likely none of them were present at His trial nor beheld His bleeding body tortured and mocked and heard His strained voice declare, “It is finished!”

Yet, they did act upon the words declared unto them.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:15-17

These men may not have ever heard more about this baby in their life time, but they did hold the enormous blessing of being those who God chose to deliver the message to all those around that God’s Savior had come as a tiny baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. 

It’s easy to picture the enthusiasm of their story and the way in which they shared this great news to all who would listen.

May those of us who have the same blessed gift of knowing the Messiah never weary of sharing the truth of His salvation and the change He has made in our own lives.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:18

May we continue to spread the same wonder that those shepherds did as we share the truth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for coming as a tiny baby, growing up to be man and changing the world through Your sacrifice. Lord, thank You for Your love and blessings. Thank You for all Your wonderous works. I love You. Amen.

“Sheep are stupid!”

I’ve heard that over and over and over again.

I’m pretty sure I’ve even said it a time or two

But it’s not true.

They are able to learn.

They are trainable.

(I once saw a man who had trained his sheep to be a team that he hitched to pull a wagon as well as other things and all of it happened in a packed Rodeo Arena in Kansas City.)

They are extremely easy to frighten.

Anything out of the usual, anything unexpected, anything that looks strange or smells strange, any stranger can cause a sheep to panic.

And when they are panicked, they can behave extremely odd.

Case in point was this morning.

Our two healthy lambs are huge and need to be out in the field.

However, the last time I tried introducing them I hadn’t expected Eppie (our adult goat) to have a fit.

She treated the lambs as dangerous invaders that she needed to chase down and butt as often as possible.

When I tried getting the lambs back out of the field Eppie thought it her job to “protect” me from the invaders, who of course we’re desperately trying to get close to me, because they see me as their Mom and when frightened they want to be as close to me as possible.

Add to this circus Rebecca, who also sees me as Mom and thus she wanted to be as close as possible to me, kept running around in terror because the goat was frightened.

If you can, picture me in the middle of the four animals trying to separate them while they’re all trying to stay close to me and away from one another…

I’m sure if I’d had a film crew out there the resulting video could have gone viral.

I finally removed the lambs from the field, and decided to wait a few more weeks before trying again.

The day came and I brought the lambs in the field first, then I got my adult sheep, Rebecca out of the barn, but kept Eppie penned up.

(No replay, if you please!)

Poor Rebecca, when the lambs came around the side of the barn it started her so badly she ran back to me with such force she hurdled past and headfirst into the fence.

This gave her such a jolt that she spun around and banged her head into the metal gate beside me.

Somehow, I managed not to burst into laughter, which would only startle her more.

I spoke to her and put my hands on her, helping her calm down.

She stood looking at the lambs with fear, but when she looked at me, she stopped being afraid.

I had to remain in the field for a while, but they figured things out.

The following day, I kept Eppie locked in the barn again, and on the third day I put her in the yard on a tether.

By day four I tried putting the lambs and Rebecca out with Eppie and although she still doesn’t like them, she’s stopped trying to chase them and only butts them if they wander too close to her.

Many times, I’ve thanked God for helping me learn how to handle our animals.

As I watched them from the house I remembered what our sheep rancher said to me.

“People think sheep are stupid, but they’re not. It’s that they have no mode of defense except to run away and they startle very easily.”

Yes, very true, my sheep prove that nearly every day.

And I can relate.

Many times in my life I’ve been startled by something unexpected and my first reaction is fear.

In fact, I’m pretty certain I’ve run headlong into the fence and spun around only to bang into the gate…

And when my eyes are on that thing or person which startled me, I’m frightened.

Thankfully, my Shepherd reaches out, calls me by name, and reminds me to look at Him.

And when I do my fears dissolve.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23:1‭-‬6 KJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for our sheep which remind me of myself and of You. Thank You for Your continued love, patience, and faithfulness. How great You are and greatly to be praised! I love You, Jesus. Thank You for laying Your life down for me. Amen.

Sheep and goats

My recent encounters with our goat (this morning she broke into the rabbit feed again) has caused me to ponder scripture.

The Bible says a good deal about sheep and goats, but the words of Jesus have stood out as I’ve been praying.

All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Matthew 25:32‭-‬33 NKJV

Jesus is talking about His return to earth and what will occur.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:34‭-‬40 KJV

Those who are “sheep” are commended by the way they served others.

He doesn’t conclude there, but next turns to the “goats”.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Matthew 25:41‭-‬45 KJV

Talk about heavy.

These people are condemned by their lack of service.

Yet, we know it’s not by works which we are saved.

Jesus tells us that to be saved we simply need to believe in Him.

John 3:16 NKJV — “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

So, how is it that the “sheep” believe and yet it’s their works Jesus points to as the proof of their belief?

Because true faith is evident in the daily lives of those who believe.

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14‭-‬17 NKJV

Jesus, Himself referred to this.

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Belief in Jesus Christ is a faith which changes our hearts and lives completely.

John 15:8 KJV — Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

I want to be a “sheep”, content with following my Master, bringing glory to God the Father through my daily obedience.

John 10:27 KJV — My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for using my sheep and goat to remind me of Your truths. You change my heart and through that my attitudes and actions. Lord, I thank You for saving me and making me Your sheep. I thank You for continuing to teach me through Your Word. Lord, please help me to listen intently for Your voice and walk faithfully in Your paths. Thank You for Your love and salvation. Amen.

Difficult animals

This is our goat.

Because we haven’t gotten the cross fence up, we take her and our lamb out to graze three times a day, sometimes more.

A few weeks ago the goat broke her collar, but she had learned to follow us out to the pasture so we didn’t bother to replace it, thinking it best to wait till she was bigger and could get a permanent collar.

As I sat outside with the sheep and goat, I wasn’t here long when I heard our son calling me.

He was struggling to lead the goat back down.

Then he explained he found her trashing the barn in an effort to get into the grain.

I looked over to check on the sheep.

Yup, she was still doing what we came out here to do.

I had to carefully tie the goat, in such a way as to keep her safe, and sat very near her so to be sure she’d be okay.

Did she go back to eating?

No, she began by knocking over the other chair, then chewed the cord on that chair, chewed my gloves, stuck her nose in my hot cup of tea, tried to sit on my lap…

I took the top picture after I had gotten up to put some distance between us, as I was feeling a bit frustrated with her.

“Why can’t you just eat?! That’s why we are out here?” I asked her.

The Lord reminded me: she’s a goat.

Goat’s are very curious.

They are not content to just eat grass, but need a variety of vegetation.

Brush, dead leaves, black berry bushes, weeds,…

They will even strip the bark off trees.

They are noted for climbing and leaping.

They can be difficult to keep in a fence.

Yet, they are very useful animals; they eat troublesome weeds, produce milk, and can be a source of meat.

Ours is a milk goat and we look forward to having our own milk for making cheese and soap and just for drinking.

The Lord’s reminder to my heart brought me truth.

I have to keep in mind they are just animals and will respond to life in their unique way.

The chickens act like chickens; the sheep like sheep; the goat…like every goat I’ve ever had.

All of this points me back to my Good Shepherd.

I want to behave like a sheep.

Following my Master, filling myself with His Word, listening for His voice.

(Our lamb comes when I call her.)

Not going off by myself, or trying to fill up on things God hasn’t given me, or making a mess because I’m not where I’m supposed to be, ignoring the voice of my Master.

I want to obey and reside in the place the Lord has for me, rather than waste that trying to get something else.

For He has supplied my every need and given the best, most important gift of all.

Psalm 68:19 NKJV — Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this lesson. Please help me to be a follower of You. Show me my stubborn waywardness that I might repent and turn back to You. Lord Jesus, I want to walk in Your ways, resting in Your provision, waiting upon You for all things. Please continue to teach me daily. And Lord, help me to be wise with how we care for these animals You have given us. Thank You for the blessings they bring. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

“Adventure” before 7am

We’ve been finding evidence of a critter digging it’s way under neath the chicken run, nearly every morning.

After several failed attempts to deter it, my husband bought a live trap.

Because our son had actually seen a young skunk in the neighbor’s yard, not far from their chickens, my husband wrapped the trap in a tarp to keep from getting sprayed once the animal was caught.

Yesterday morning, when I came up to do the chickens, there was food sitting outside of the trap, but the trap had not been sprung.

I thought that was odd, the food had obviously been eaten on.

When my husband came out, I told him about the food.

He was surprised to see that something got the food out of the trap, but had not sprung it.

Last night, he reset the trap in such a way that the animal was sure to be caught.

So when I came out to do the chickens, I didn’t go near their pen, because the trap had been sprung.

Instead, I sent my husband a message and went about the other chores.

I prayed for him as he headed towards the trap.

Requesting that he would not be sprayed, as he had to go to work this morning.

God answered.

My husband was able to load the live trap and animal into the back of his pickup without incident.

He would take it and release it far away in the woods before heading to work.

When I do chores, I normally let our lamb out of her pen as she wanders about grazing while I take care of the other animals.

This morning was no different, she had followed me to the facet as I filled up the rabbit waterer.

My husband needed to leave immediately to have time to release the skunk.

The lamb and I were nearby as he jumped in the truck with his lunch box.

I realized that my lamb was awfully close to the truck and although she’s normally very frightened of vehicles, I wanted to get her out of the way, it would be very hard for my husband to see her.

I was encumbered by the rabbit waterer and only had one free hand, but assumed the minute he started the truck she would want to come toward me.

I forgot I was dealing with a sheep.

Although, I had put my hand out and called several times, she literally ran towards the back of the truck, under the bed, near the tire.

He was aware that she had been in the area and had seen my efforts, so he did not put it in reverse.

Instead, he got to watch as I tried desperately to get my lamb to come away from the truck.

She did not want to, despite the fact that it was running.

I tried leading her as I normally do, with one hand under her chin, but she fought me and kept trying to turn back towards the truck.

Are exhaust fumes that appealing?!

I knew that he was in a hurry, so I stopped trying to guide her and grabbed a front four leg.

By pulling on her four leg gently, I began to get her away from the truck.

She found this extremely frustrating and began leaping in the air in an attempt to break my hold.

She’s not heavy enough, even with her leaping over and over to break my grip.

I was able to get her away from the truck, to a safe distance, so my husband could drive away.

After getting her there, I didn’t let go, I couldn’t trust her.

She might turn and run back toward the truck, thus I stood, holding on to her leg waiting for my husband to back up and then head down the driveway.

I was very frustrated with her and I could tell she was not impressed with me either.

He did back up the truck, but then he stopped and stuck his head out the window.

About this juncture, I told my lamb that I was simply trying to keep her safe despite her dumb behavior.

Yes, I called my sheep dumb.

My husband called back to me, “You just made my day!”

And laughed!

Putting the truck in drive, he headed out, still laughing.

I had to laugh too.

I let go of my sheep, patted her, and tried to console her from what she thought was extremely poor treatment.

I returned to the chores and thanked the Lord for His blessings this morning, especially catching the skunk and protecting our chickens.

I pictured how funny my lamb and I must have looked as I dragged her away from her impending danger and suddenly realized God is incredibly patient.

How many times have I reacted the exact same way to something that the Lord said?

Then He changed the circumstances, making it far harder for me to return, all the while I act foolishly, and being greatly offended that He would treat me in such a way.

And all He was doing was keeping me from danger.

I praise God for His Sovereignty and the chastisement He has given when I needed it the most.

I am so thankful to the Lord for His faithful care and tireless instruction.

Isaiah 53:6 KJV — All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

I worship Almighty God for His incredible sacrifice, for nothing compares to His salvation through Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the “adventure” this morning, both with our lamb and with the skunk. Lord, I know You created all and I thank You for reminding me of Your Word this morning as I reflected upon the behavior of our sheep. Thank You for Your incredible amount of patience, Your mercy, and Your grace. Thank You that You died to save us. Please help each of us to be focused upon You and Your Word, that we would follow You with willingness, rather than be curious and seek to draw closer to the dangers You call us away from. Lord, thank You for all Your love! You are amazing! Amen.

By the way,

My lamb forgave me and came over to nuzzle my knee.

And the skunk has a new home.

All we like sheep

Isaiah 53:6 KJV — All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Unless you’ve actually raised sheep, these words really don’t hold the same understanding.

As a young teen, my parents bought a very run down property in the country, in another state, and took this city girl and my sister, to a whole new way of life.

I didn’t have a clue about anything which I would need to know, but God is gracious and He teaches.

We didn’t have proper fencing, so moving the flock was always an adventure.

(In case your wondering why we were moving them, it’s because sheep need a rotation of pasture or the fields die back and the sheep don’t have good forage. In fact there is a whole science to field rotation and proper care so that the animals get the nutrition they need.)

We didn’t have a sheep dog.

We didn’t have four-wheelers.

We had my mom, my sister, and me.

The system was one person, no body liked this job because it meant getting trampled, had the large bucket of grain.

That person was responsible to call the sheep, wait for most of them to gather (there’s always at least a few who refuse to come when called), then open the gate, and head toward the new field.

The other people are in the field and ready to “encourage” all the sheep to follow the one with the bucket.

(Sheep startle very easily and you have to be careful how you handle them, as a sheep can literally die from fright.)

As the person leading, you have to continue to call the sheep and shake the bucket.

Even with calling and shaking some sheep will bolt out the gate, nearly knocking down the person opening it, and run as fast as they can.

Where?

Anywhere.

They have no sense of what they are doing, they just know the gate is open and they are “free!”.

Others will follow the one calling only until they spy a weedy plant growing along the road.

They’ll stop and block the road with their bodies because the weedy tough thing isn’t a quick grab a mouthful and keep walking, which causes others behind them to stop and loose sight of the one calling.

Those who are stopped will then become confused and loudly protest their distress, at times turning around to head back and other times running back and forth along the road.

Some sheep will be late coming to the gate and when they see it open will bolt as fast as they can.

They will over take and pass the one leading only to find themselves lost, without any others around them.

This can be terrifying for the sheep, who will then bolt back down the way they just came.

They will even pass the one leading the sheep and will return to the field if it were not for the two people who follow at the far back.

Their job is to get the sheep out of the field and close the gate.

Then to follow the one calling the sheep and encourage those who are lost to follow the leader.

But there were some sheep who would come when called.

They knew the person calling had fed them before and would feed them again.

They knew there’s grain in the bucket and they never take their eyes off the leader.

They knew they need what the leader has, they want what the leader has and they follow, no matter what.

When the sheep are all in the new field the grain is set out, normally more than one bucket worth, for we always had more in the new field waiting.

Of course they would push and shove each other, like we didn’t know how much grain was required to supply each one the proper amount.

Afterwards, they’d start grazing, as if they never noticed the new field was lusher, more abundant than the old.

I can easily see myself in those sheep.

How many times did I hear the Lord call and instead of keeping my eyes fixed on Him, my excitement sent me dashing ahead only to find I’d taken His call and applied my own ideas and plans to the execution of it?

It always left me confused and lost as to where to go next.

How many times have I felt “comfortable” unwilling to make a change, not wanting to hed the call, not willing to leave what I was used to?

Only to find that being slow to respond to Him and having to experience the consequences of not obeying were actually hindering what He had in store.

I still reached the new place, it still held all He had for me, but I brought along regret from my disobedience.

I’ve prayed and will continue to pray that God helps me to be the sheep whose eyes are on the Shepherd.

That I will stop wasting my time, energy, and strength in “bolting” in every direction, but instead to listen for His voice, to answer His call, and to always remain beside the One who calls me to follow.

John 10:27 NKJV — “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for loving us so much more than anyone can possibly love. Thank You for creating sheep, that we might see a small portion of ourselves in them. Lord, thank You for teaching me so much about Your patient endurance and Your faithfulness. Thank You that You are caring for me and all I need to do is follow. Thank You for Your provision, Your salvation, and Your grace. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Shepherd

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

Anyone who has raised sheep can tell you they “stray” a good deal.

Many a time, as a youth, my frustration over the wandering of the flock would cost me hours of fence repair and regrouping the animals.

When a sheep is wandering outside the protection of the fence, they rarely understand their danger.

Instead it is when the shepherd or caretaker shows up that they seem to suddenly panic over their wandering and will bolt for places unknown.

They can literally run themselves to death or fall and cast themselves which also leads to death, if left in that position.

But did this state of alarm hit them as they wandered through the hole in their protection?

No.

It came when they were face to face with the one who put the protection in place.

The one who actually cares for them and understands all the dangers they do not.

Does this wayward sheep call to the shepherd, or follow them back to their safety?

No.

They bolt.

As fast as their short skinny legs will carry them.

They will blindly flee straight into a dead end and then once at the end will dash madly back and forth, back and forth, all because they left the safety of the fence.

The protection set around a grassy area, supplied with fresh water, and normally cover, all set up for their care.

Do you see yourself in the wayward sheep?

I certainly can see myself.

I can tell you that a good shepherd never ignores the wayward sheep.

Instead they follow and do whatever is necessary to return the sheep to the safety of the fence.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

And He laid down His life for the sheep!

All this knowledge helps me to better understand how I need to handle my walk with the Lord Jesus.

Not to be unaware of the protection He placed in my life through His Holy Word.

To learn not to panic when confronted with an area of my life where I have strayed, but to instead humbly confess and seek the security of the protection and the way back to it by following the Good Shepherd.

To realize I will never completely understand all that goes on, but I can always trust the Good Shepherd.

He really has my best at heart.

As a person who has raised these animals I can tell you, there is only one kind of sheep which does not follow the average behavior.

It’s the one which has been hand-raised.

Whether by illness or some sort of loss, the lamb was raised, not by another sheep, but by the Shepherd alone.

Those are the only ones who will come when they are called.

Will seek the Shepherd when lost.

The ones who will bleat pleadingly when the Shepherd comes into sight.

That’s the kind of sheep I want to be.