Part-Time Shepherdess, Full-Time Sheep
My sheep are not accepting their new barn. It’s not actually a new barn but it’s new to them. Their barn of preference and familiarity is up a steep hill with a narrow pathway at one of the highest points on the farm. It’s a cool and breezy place in the summer but it’s definitely not a fun place for me to get to or take hay in the winter.
It’s honestly downright dangerous for me as I hold onto the fence line with one hand while pulling the rope of a hay laden sled with the other. That upper barn pathway is also surrounded by huge trees that drop ice laden limbs and other debris at me when it’s windy.
As I was thinking and rethinking how to make my life simpler and safer this winter, I came up with a plan to move the flock to lower, more level ground close to their hay source. I spent days getting the barn ready and trying to make sure it was also Livestock Guard Dog (aka my shape shifters) safe since they can easily undo my hard work by finding a way out of enclosures in just a few moments.
Two weeks ago, I moved the sheep to their winter home and while they are loving the new pasture, they are not even coming close to liking the barn. I’ve lured them in with grain and they stay long enough to eat in the barn then they run out of it like they’re being chased by something very scary that wants to devour them.
I know it won’t be long before they will need the barn’s protection from the cold and snow and ice so can only hope and pray they will see the light in time, to understand the benefit of protection even if it’s not comfortable or familiar. To trust me and my decisions for them.
I know from years of experience that they will eventually accept the new barn I spent so much time getting ready for them, to see it’s for their best if for no other reason for being their shelter from winter’s cold. But it actually may even take a winter storm for them to finally give in and accept their new barn as beneficial or see it as their safe place.
If my sheep had their way, they’d go back to their barn of preference regardless if it’s the best or safest place for them or me or not. And I often wonder how many times my Good Shepherd tries to steer me away from those things in my life that are dangerous or not in my best interest, only to have me try my hardest to get back to the places I am comfortable in. Whether it’s a good place for me to be or not.
How long does it take for me to acknowledge or even notice the benefit of those places He is leading me? Does it take a storm in my life for me to run to His places of safety prepared just for me or do I, because of His never-failing love and kindness and mercy and grace throughout my entire life, finally and automatically understand my Good Shepherd’s full and unconditional love for me?
Truthfully, much of the time I don’t automatically trust Him. Especially when I’m weary or angry or hurt or am just not in a good mood or…
Until He whispers to my heart and reminds me of His love for me and I willingly go the way He leads. This time.
But just as I will go through the struggle again to get my sheep to accept their new barn next spring (their current barn of preference up the shady hill), so I too will likely struggle the next time my Good Shepherd tries to lead me away from those things I am familiar or comfortable with but that really aren’t the best for me.
For now, I won’t think about that. I am just a part-time Shepherdess, full-time sheep after all. And my Good Shepherd loves me just the same. He always has and always will.
Jackie Deems copyright 2023
