Pure Joy
Evening chores are through, and my sheep and other rescues are safe and tucked in for the night. A palpable peace envelops the farm like a warm, soft comforter as the last chards of daylight reflect Heaven’s jubilant colors.
It’s been a good day, one of many good days strung together in a row in the midst of an unpredictable Ohio winter. Though I’ve had to brave for and battle the ice and snow in what seems like arctic wind chills, all is well. All is well.
For years I’ve looked over my shoulder when all is well — seemingly too well — waiting for the inevitable times when things are less than well and I am left barely able to stand from a devastating blow — the loss of a loved one (human or otherwise), an unexpected diagnosis or health issue and other really hard things. So many hard things.
I have come to realize that I don’t always allow myself to fully appreciate and enjoy and be thankful or fully present for the times when all is well because I’m waiting for the not so good times to happen. I often don’t allow myself to completely enjoy the cool spring when my sheep graze peacefully, hungrily taking in the lush green grass they took for granted last summer and have missed all winter. I don’t allow myself to fully relax in those beautiful moments.
I don’t often thank my Good Shepherd enough for my good life. Not nearly often enough. Instead, I ruin those moments that should give me joy and peace and comfort by worrying and warily looking over my shoulder. Waiting.
He calls me to look to Him instead, to see that life in His green pastures is good. While not everything in my life is always good my life still, still — is good.
My Good Shepherd sees with Heavenly eyes throughout eternity: past, present and future. I have only limited vision — see in a mirror dimly. He knows it all works out for my good in the end and that all the days — difficult or good — are what makes me who I am and causes me to run to Him. He the always Good Shepherd, me His beloved sheep He calls by name.
I take one last look upward to the Heavenly fading chards of daylight, His palpable peace flows over me like a warm soft comforter and engulfs me in my Good Shepherd’s abundant and unconditional love for me.
In that fleeting moment, it is pure joy. No looking back. No waiting. No worrying. Just pure joy. In the presence of my always Good Shepherd.
Jackie Deems copyright 2023
