A Shepherd's Life, volume 6
Our Shepherd is the lifter of our heads in times of trouble
We all have moments where we get ourselves into trouble and need a little help.
The other night our brand new (3 days old) baby goat “Homer” was exploring the big rocks in his pen.
He was excited to play and explore with his brother and friends, until he backed up and got his head stuck between two big rocks.
That little guy started crying and screaming for help but none of the other goats came to help (not even his mother lifted her head from the feeder to check on her son).
My first reaction was that I did not want him associating this "trauma" with Lorraine and I, so we simply backed away and watched him struggle his way to freedom on his own.
When a baby goat goes through a traumatic experience, we don't want him or her to associate that experience with humans
I mean, he got himself into that mess so he should figure out how to get himself out of it, right?
Well, after about 5 seconds (yes....just 5 very short seconds) he simply gave up and stood completely still with his head down, stuck between two rocks.
I imagined what was going through his head at that very moment: "Well, I lived a wonderful life. These 3 days were so good with my mom, my brother, and my friends. I had hoped for a longer life but I am thankful for all that I have experienced."
Lorraine and I slowly walked back over to the rocks and watched the little guy just standing there without even a struggle.
Compassion filled my heart, and I decided to help, so I just put my hand behind his little butt and gave him a gentle push forward and "POP" his head came free and I lifted him up and set him on top of the big flat rock.
Little Homer was wagging his tail and he was so happy to be free and to be on top of the big rock (his humble life goal had actually been achieved!).
As we laughed about this moment, Lorraine and I also reflected on how compassionate God is to us.
God is our help. He is our refuge and safe place. He is the lifter of our heads. He is full of love & mercy, and his grace is endless.
We are so thankful that the LORD is our Shepherd. As our Shepherd, he is our helper, provider, protector, restorer, source of all blessings and goodness, and his presence is and will be with us forever.
We truly lack nothing with God as our Shepherd.
Lorraine and I love caring for all of the animals God has given us to steward and care for. We also thank God for the opportunity to learn more about him each day as we shepherd our flocks and herds.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 ESV
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 ESV
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
Psalm 54:4 ESV
I can't tell you how many times God has put His hand behind my butt and gave me a gentle push forward to help me extricate my head from a very difficult, almost insurmountable, situation. We are blessed to have such a loving, caring shepherd...as blessed as Homer, actually....