Saturday, June 19, 2010

Lessons from Sheep...

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:13


Yesterday morning came with a lot of rain. It cleared by afternoon, but the streets were still marked by the weather throughout the day. I went on a walk after dinner yesterday with a family of ten orphans and their “mama,” who is charge of them at this orphanage. The children loved taking a walk throughout the village and even talked with the other children that would come up to them. We came upon cattle that were being herded across the street. Behind the herd of cattle wandered two sheep that did not follow the herd but started down the road. Their owner came running after them with a bucket of clean water for them to drink. By the time the owner had caught up to them, they were right in front of us. The sheep turned and looked at their owner; he then pushed the bucket closer to the sheep. The sheep looked at the bucket and both turned the other way. They wandered a few steps and began to drink the grimy, dark, dirty puddle of water on the dirt road.

I immediately was reminded of how many times I have chosen to fill my body with grime…I have turned to things that the world has to offer. Jesus is offering me a drink that will make me never thirst again (John 4:13). I was also reminded of how much our Shepherd loves His sheep. His love makes me never want to taste the grime again.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:11-15

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Jess. Thank you for this reminder. Have a great day with our kids tomorrow. I will be praying. =) Love, Kim

Stephanie said...

I love this post. What a great reminder to reflect on. Steph

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the encouragement - I needed that today, and everyday. Only Jesus satisfies my thirst. Love you both - Dad B

Lois said...

great word!!

Nancy Cox said...

What a wonderful lesson...thanks!! Love, Nancy.

Anonymous said...

Great words of wisdom, Jess! You have such a gift of sharing nuggets of your day into beautiful moments of teaching!Jill

cindy said...

You have touched my heart and reminded me to thirst only for good, pure and brings me to be more like Him! Love you guys!
It is so fun sharing your experience with you!! Cindy