A Shepherd

Years before I was born, my parents raised and cared for sheep. Daddy had a route through Oklahoma and Texas that he would travel to sheer sheep for other people. He entered contests in fairs for sheep sheering. That was in the 1940's.

I've thought alot about how much work it took to care for all of the sheep. During the cold cold winter of 1939, my parents and oldest brother lived in a tent out on the sheep range to be there as the ewes began to birth the lambs. I've heard there were about 600 sheep and they could not afford for any of them to be lost.

Daddy fixed the tent with a stove. That is how mother could cook and they could stay warm and cozy.

Shepherding is filled with responsibility and constant attention to the needs of the sheep.

A shepherd keeps the sheep in the best pasture. If the sheep wander into harms way, the shepherd herds them back to safety. They keep the sheep with a constant supply of food and water. At night the sheep are herded back to the barn or arena to be protected from predators.

I know my parents and I know how hard and diligently they worked in every area of their lives. Though I wasn't born when they were raising and caring for sheep, I know they spared no effort in making sure the sheep were well cared for and had everything they needed.

I also know...as long as...

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need.

Old Testament Psalm chapter 23 verse 1

Have a restful day.

Rachel