SHEEP

Sheep.  Not a one of us need an official online dictionary definition of “sheep”. 

I love sheep.  It amazes me at the thickness of their coats.  It amazes me at the peacefulness of the sight of a pasture full of sheep grazing.  I love watching the baby lambs grazing by their mamas. 

I have a couple of books that I have read that tell interesting facts about sheep.  Did you know that sheep are not really smart?  Did you know that they have no natural defenses—no fangs or claws or such as that?  Did you know that they have no sense of direction?

This year I felt the calling to write our church’s Christmas program.  Uh huh.  Not my idea for sure.   I argued with the Lord over it and He won.  At our church we have a boatload of kids to be in this program.  I’m talking a boatload. And that is a HUGE blessing for our church!   I was indecisive about what role in the nativity part the youngest of the youngsters would be.  Somehow the idea came to make them animals.  As I was talking to one of the mothers about costumes and making them all sheep, she made the statement, “If they wander a little on stage, that’s probably all right because that’s what sheep do.”  Little did she know that her statement would prompt me into a blog entry.  She is so right.  Sheep wander.  That’s why they need a shepherd.  So yes, you guessed it, I was reminded of Psalm 23.  The Lord is MY shepherd.  It’s one of those Psalms that I learned as a child and somehow kept in my heart for all these years. 

I decided that I would share the 23^rd Psalm accompanied by some of my favorite photos.  While you read and look, think of yourself as the sheep because that’s really what we all are.  Doesn’t Psalm 100 say “we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture”?  And doesn’t the Word say “He is the good Shepherd”?  In fact the Word speaks of his shepherdship in so many places.  Bet the online dictionary doesn’t know the word, shepherdship.  I like it.  Makes the Lord sound just like the all important wonderful shepherd He is!

So....Psalm 23.....

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 forever.

And I say, "Amen."