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I didn’t get much sleep last night, it’s the lambing season on our farm and with incredible gratitude, I report that so far it’s going much better than last year. Last year the first two lambs born were stillborn twins, this year two healthy twins from a momma named Hope. In an interesting turn of events another mother, Bella, took Hope’s little boy as her own. As a sheep farmer, this is absolutely boggling, because I wouldn’t be off base to call it nearly impossible to get another mother to accept a baby. But Bella calls this little boy her own, and for now we are co-parenting because Bella doesn’t have any milk. She gets the play and the snuggles I get 24/7 every few hours feedings. Hence why I’m tired.
But the tale of Bella is deeper and more fascinating, Bella was a first-time mother last season and she hasn’t lambed since, her first lamb within minutes of birth was tragically killed by a pig, named Petunia that we no longer own(farm drama is real folks). Bella cried for days, she was inconsolable and eventually moved on. Yet this year, she works out some pact with Hope to snag a baby and even though she doesn’t have milk she gladly welcomes his nursing attempts and incessantly chatters at him. Sheep don’t smile, but if Bella could I know she would, this baby is special to her. With the 4-hour feeding schedule, I didn’t get much sleep last night but I did get a lot of time to pray and although I love to sleep, to fill insomnia with prayer feels like a real high-level life hack. Interestingly enough, at one point last night, my tired brain wandered into Psalm 23 and the words of these verses churned in my head.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:1-3 NIV
As I look at the complexities unfolding with Hope, Bella, and this little lamb I’m reminded of the complexities we bring to our Lord and how He is the Good Shepherd as referenced in John 10:11, and His sheep listen to His voice as referenced in John 10:27. He hears our late night prayers, our early morning cries and our afternoon shouts and in Him we lack nothing.
In Him, I lack nothing, I am complete, made whole not in my own works but in the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus. Bella lacks milk to feed the precious lamb she has committed to and loves, I, even as a deeply flawed human, can see that need and provide it.
How much greater is God able to provide for us? Infinitely greater!
Bella is a sheep, she has no comprehension beyond her, she doesn’t understand how the world works, and let’s be honest I do not have much of a clue either. But she knows how to show commitment and love. I can provide shelter, feed, fresh water, and the magic bottles of milk that show up every 4 hours to quiet her baby’s belly. I am a good shepherd, but Jesus is THE Good Shepherd.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11-18
And he did, leaving our sins hanging on the Cross, and then he rose, taking his rightful place in Heaven. But He didn’t abandon His flock, He is the Good Shepherd, still providing for our needs, giving us comfort and rest, and restoring our souls.
Are there chinks in your armor this morning?
Ask Jesus to refresh your soul, polish out the tarnish of this world, and give you peace and rest. Trust in Him, that He will provide because He will, He is the Good Shepherd.
Lord, Jesus my savior and friend I come to you this morning a little weary, help me find you in the clutter of this day. Help me dig through the rubble of demands and deadlines so that I can see your face. So that you might give me rest, I say the words of Psalm 23:1-3 knowing they are fulfilled in you.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
Thank you, my Lord, for your steadfast love and gentle call that leads me home. -Amen