Shepherd and the Shadow

When I was a little girl, in addition to what everyone normally called me, occasionally my mom would call me “Shadow“, because I would follow my dad so closely. Shadow. I like the image that connotates…and, it reminds me of this…

One of my dearest friends and I were having a conversation one day. We were discussing the painting of Jesus carrying a lamb around his neck. This painting has hidden depth, because lore has it that if a lamb is wayward and goes rogue, a diligent shepherd will break the lamb’s leg. While this sounds cruel, and PETA would have a meltdown at this, it is truly for the lamb’s protection. If you read up on sheep’s behavior, they are miserably stupid and need to be protected at all times not just from predators, but from themselves. Sound familiar?

During the course of the lamb’s healing, its every need is provided by the shepherd who continues to carry it. Feeding, watering, protecting…all of the necessary things in life are given. Miraculously, a change occurs that goes far beyond the healing of the bone.

Guess what else happens? The lamb never strays again. In fact, it is always very close to the shepherd from that point on. It has grown to trust and rely on the shepherd. It finds joy and contentment being in the shepherd’s presence. The lamb willingly follows. Its life is forever changed in the best way possible.

That is similar to my experience. Cami and I came up with a slogan for it, “Follow the shirt” – which means the best thing is to stay as close as possible to our Shepherd. Then, we aren’t distracted or discouraged by the big bad world roaring on the perimeter.

Looking back through the haze of years, I am so grateful for the time spent on His shoulders. The love I have been given is as strong as when I was carried around the neck of Lord. Forever changed. My goal is to stay close…in other words, to be a shadow.

– RG