I have wanted to write for several days..life and the craziness of kids and ministry and summer has prevented it from happening. The thing is though, that this blog has become part of my rhythm. It’s become part of my self care…and I secretly (I guess not anymore) love it.
I want to share with y’all ALL the things that have been going on…there’s just a lot. A lot of things I haven’t been able to fully process. Until I can, it wouldn’t benefit anyone, especially me, to share them. What I will say is that our hearts are being consistently, continually stretched. Our lives here confirmed almost daily. The next right step is in front of us before we even know we’re supposed to move. He is shaking and moving and redeeming and pruning us like no one’s business these days.
One thing I can share with you-I have fallen in love. I know, I know-I’ve said it before. You’ll never believe what I’ve fallen in love with this time though!
Drum roll…..
I have fallen in love with sheep. They are stinky and smelly and really pretty gross but they are incredibly loyal. They will follow the shepherd anywhere, literally. I had the privilege of working alongside our precious Gramma on Wednesday morning. The sheep were lambing and she needed help. I helped build nurseries for the babies and take care of them. I got to lead mama sheep to their babies-all the whole Little Man was clucking and calling the sheep. What I loved most though was the hard work that shepherding takes. It’s not easy to take care of those sheep. They aren’t incredibly smart and they are very timid…they will follow their person though.
When we came out last summer (before the move) Little Man became infatuated with sheep. It’s something that has developed into a part of who he is as a little boy. As I watched him in the corral on Wednesday morning, I was reminded of the way the Father leads us. I was reminded of how stubborn and sometimes ignorant I am and yet He still calls me and draws me near to Him. Little Man was a shining example of this as he walked through the corral clucking and calling the new lambs to him. I didn’t have my phone to snap a photo but I did take a mental picture. Little Man was looking out into the desert and two Mama sheep were beside him and the two lambs were right next to him. He gently rested his hands on the lamb’s head and stood quietly still. It was a beautiful moment and one I won’t soon forget.
It was then I realized, I love sheep and the work of taking care of them. I love the dry desert and the wind that blows so strong it’ll knock you over.
I asked Masani and Gramma last night why the sheep respond to Little Man the way they do…why they will follow him when they won’t follow their own babies or food. Masani reminded me of the peaceful nature of Little Man. She asked me to remember how I told her Jesus spoke to my heart before he was born that he would be a peacemaker among men. She said the sheep could feel his peace and it put them at ease.
Isn’t that Jesus with skin on y’all? We can feel the peace of others who believe and that’s why we surround ourselves with those people? Jesus sends us peacemakers. He sends people into our lives to cause us to settle in our spirit…to cause our hearts and minds to join as one and look to the One.
So-there you have it. I love sheep. I don’t love their smell…
I love that they can and will be a consistent reminder of how to follow my Father. I love that Jesus used my fella to teach his mama about the beauty of a sheep and their shepherd.
I love it here. I am looking forward to the day, hopefully soon, we get to bring home several lambs. I am excited to share in shepherding those lambs alongside our Little Man. I am excited to watch as my “Lil Shep” walks into the peacefulness his Daddy and I believe was spoken and breathed into him before he was born.
So, there you have it. Instead of an old cat lady-i guess I’ll be an old sheep lady…and I’m okay with that.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep.” -John 10:11
Beautiful Harvest Project 