A Shepherd's Life, volume 5

The Shepherd provides protection and care, even when we may fight against it.

There are times, such as in extreme cold weather or bad storms, that we, as shepherds and stewards of the animals God has given us, feel that it is good (for the good of the animals) to lock them up in a dry, safe place that is out of the weather, wind and cold.

Now, not all of our animals feel that this is "good" and they do not willingly go and they sometimes even protest the arrangement.

However, based on the knowledge and understanding that we have we always do what is best for all of our animals and try our best to keep them safe from predators and from weather.

Lambs are 100% dependent on others for their protection, provision and safe keeping.

This past week we have already had 3 sets of lambs born, but since we do not know the exact date the lambs will come we have to always be diligent to keep the ewes in a warm and safe environment to have their babies.

This means that sometimes we decide to "lock them up" overnight if the weather is going to be too cold for babies to survive without assistance.

Now to be fair, by "lock them up" we mean locked in a dry, warm, spacious shelter with heat lamps and food.

That sounds like a pretty good arrangement to me!

From learning the hard way, we now know that animals prefer to go out of an area of warmth and safety in order to be alone when they are having their babies.

So the issue is that if the entire flock is already inside the building at night (where it is warm and comfortable) and one goes into labor, that one will often seek a place to be alone which basically means going from the safe and warm shelter to outside in the freezing cold temperatures (which does not give their babies a fair chance at survival).

So, we as stewards make the decision to lock them up in order to keep that one momma from leaving the safety and warmth of the buildings at night.

We know it is not ideal for ewes to have her babies surrounded by other sheep (as momma and babies need to be able to bond without the interference and confusion of others) but we also know the babies will have little to no chance of surviving if born in the freezing cold weather so we do what we can for the best of the babies and the momma when the weather is dangerous.

This last week we have had two sets of twin lambs born overnight in freezing temps but the mommas were safely locked up in a warm and cozy shelter with heat lamps to keep the lambs warm.

Lani had twins overnight/early morning on 3/15/25.

Kai had twins late night 3/17/25.

It is exciting to go to the sheep pen in the mornings and be greeted by new baby lambs ready to meet us for the first time with curiosity and wagging tails.

The Bible often speaks of God as our refuge, our safe place, our rock, our shelter, and our help. For those who seek him and trust him as a refuge (safe place) he provides protection, care, help, and deliverance.

These verses below are a beautiful reminder of God's care and protection as our Shepherd and the one who loves us and cares for us and wants the very best for us.

May they bring you comfort and peace as you rest in the care of the one who made you and the one who loves you deeply - The Great Shepherd our LORD Jesus.

God just asks us to trust him - trust that he knows what is best for us and fully rest in him as our refuge (safe place).

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 ESV

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord , “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:1-4 ESV

I love you, O Lord , my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:1-2 ESV

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7 ESV

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
Psalm 54:4 ESV

Know that the Lord , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:3 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV