A Shepherd’s Heart

If you’ve read even a few of my posts you know that I have a small flock/herd of sheep and goats. 

I have learned firsthand why God called His most capable leaders from among shepherds.  It’s a tough job and often a thankless job.

But it molds a heart of love and compassion in ways no other work can do.  

The Twenty-third Psalm isn’t just words to me, it’s my life:

One  night, as I went to close the gate to the goat pen, I noticed an older doe was missing-I didn’t have to do a head count, I just looked at the herd and could tell someone wasn’t there.

Sure enough, Bella hadn’t made it back from afternoon foraging.

I hollered out to my son and, flashlights in hand, we went looking for her.  We were pretty certain she must have been knocked down and was unable to get up.  Goats can get kind of pushy if there is a particularly tasty bit of browse and often butt one another.

After exploring all the usual places, he going one way and me another, he found her.

Yep, down and helpless.

In the edge of the woods.

Where, if we left her, she would be dead come morning.

So he carried her back to the pen (not an easy task with a full-grown goat!).

Why? Because that’s what shepherds DO.

welcome home goats

They tend the herd and flock. They don’t rest until every one is accounted for.

And it’s what God calls HIS shepherds to do as well: know the flock, feed the flock, go out in the dark and the briers and find the missing one.

Not to rest satisfied that they will somehow find their own way home.

I am thankful for Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Perfect Shepherd.  

jesus the shepherd the i am

We who follow Him are called to be shepherds of our own flock-the persons He places under our watchcare, the ones He brings across our path that need love, compassion, a healing touch and a guiding hand.

It’s a tough job. 

Often a thankless job. 

But it’s our job.  

feed my shee[

Author: Melanie

I am a shepherd, wife and mother of four amazing children, three that walk the earth with me and one who lives with Jesus. This is a record of my grief journey and a look into the life I didn't choose. If you are interested in joining a community of bereaved parents leaning on the promises of God in Christ, please like the public Facebook page, "Heartache and Hope: Life After Losing a Child" and join the conversation.

6 thoughts on “A Shepherd’s Heart”

  3. What if I don’t want to be a shepherd? I just want to be a sheep following Him the Shepherd, I feel like God is not happy with sheeps being sheeps. I understand He delights if the sheep could become a shepherd. I feel He doesn’t bless me because I’m only a sheep. I’ve had many sad days praying for a job that isn’t here, and a lot of reading of I need to know God doesn’t answer prayers in our time, and we need to speak to Him but I can’t help being disappointed.

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    1. Truth is, we are ALL shepherds to someone. It might be a child, a co-worker, a friend or a neighbor. Sometimes it’s just a person that watches us from afar. I’m so sorry that you feel God hasn’t answered your prayers-I often feel that way as well. I’ve written about it several times so if you would like to read some of those posts put “prayer” in the search box and they will pop up.

      We are all sheep as well. That’s how we are made. That’s why our hearts look for the Shepherd until we find Him. Be the best “you” that you can be and don’t be concerned if that doesn’t look like another person. God fashioned you for His purposes and He made you unique.

      Praying you hear Him whisper, “Courage, My child” to your hurting heart. ❤

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