Ever Present Help
Babydoll wether, Bubba, who was once a “seeing eye” sheep for another older sheep with terrible vision now needs his own “seeing eye” sheep. Every night I bring Bubba and his friend, April back into their smaller pasture to keep them safe. Shetland ewe April is no longer fleet of foot and Bubba, who never was graceful, make an unlikely duo.
A blur of snow was coming down tonight just before twilight and Bubba couldn’t find the wide-open gate because he got separated from April. Without April’s assistance, Bubba kept running into the fence instead. After trying to get Bubba through the gate, almost falling several times on the slippery ice and snow, I was getting a bit frustrated. There was just a sliver of daylight left and I needed to get him into his barn. Now.
I turned away from him to see if April had managed to get into the barn by herself then turned back to see Blue, our male Livestock Guard Dog (LGD), getting behind Bubba and gently coming alongside and herding him through the gate and towards me. Blue looked up as if to say, “You should have just asked for my help in the first place”. I stood there in disbelief for a few moments, my LGD’s aren’t typically herding type dogs, instead, they are protectors of their flock.
I sometimes — no oftentimes — underestimate my Livestock Guard Dogs in our day-to-day life together. I think I know and understand what their capabilities or motives are then something like this small seemingly insignificant incident makes me wonder how much I really know about my LGD’s.
I also sometimes — no oftentimes — underestimate my Good Shepherd in our day-to-day life together. I often get separated from Him because I somehow think I am intelligent or spiritual enough to know and understand what His capabilities or motives are. But I don’t. I can’t.
What a foolish sheep I can be, stumbling, bumbling around trying to find the gate He has opened wide for me to go through — as He gently comes alongside leading the way He knows is best for me. I waste so much time trying to find the way home — wanting to do everything my way or on my own — -often thinking I don’t need my Good Shepherd’s help.
But, if I allow myself to stand still long enough — to listen with my heart and not my head — I swear I can sometimes almost hear Him say, “You should have just asked for my help in the first place.”
Jackie Deems copyright 2023
1God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1