What Blossom knows

Blossom, with her children. PC: Skylar Coonan Photography

One of the coolest things I notice as a shepherd is that sheep respond drastically differently to my call...their level of interest and attachment isn't the same across the board.  A particularly special ewe (like Blossom) might see me and come running before I even say a word.  At the other end of the spectrum are those who present a bit more of a challenge--it might take violently shaking a bucket of grain and lots of happy screaming "Come 'er, sheep!!" before I even get looked at skeptically.  ​

Blossom, a cripple

Blossom was born with a birth defect.  She had severe deficiency and needed quite a lot of attention before she could walk on her own.   We gently bandaged her painful swollen joints and tube fed her until she was strong enough to suck.  It was a couple of weeks before she could walk, so we carried her everywhere we went.  She wasn't born on our farm, but the bond we created with her from birth was very different from the bond I have with a lamb who is born fully functional and strong.

Blossom, lovingly nicknamed "Weird"

 A bomb-proof sheep

Blossom is now a very large and happy sheep.  Large, because she is always the first one to the afore mentioned pail of grain.  Happy because she knows she is special.  Bomb-proof means unruffled, unafraid, assertive, and confident when stressful or shocking things happen.   Because she knows her place as a cherished and loved member of our family, she knows she doesn't have to worry about anything.  She knows this because she has spent countless hours with me. 
​ In the same way, a relationship with our Shepherd is empowering.  Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (biblehub.com)

Blossom is at peace

It goes without saying that God pursues us with a love so much deeper than I have for Blossom.  To be known and loved might be one of the best feelings we can experience as human beings.  Whenever I log into social media, I see a crowd of love and acceptance-starved people trying to prove their worth. We may patch our desperate soul through relationship with a spouse, our kids, or friends, perhaps we try to sew it together with fame or success.  It's all good, we need each other and doing well in life is awesome, FO SHO.  But let me tell you, it will never fully satisfy, because we were created to live in relationship with God, a relationship that is marked by unmerited, never-ending unconditional love without partiality.  This is the missing patch in our quilt, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot be that patch for another person.  Jesus is someone who isn't looking at our abilities or tracking our accomplishments.  He doesn't measure us by our performance or success and is not deciding whether his investment into our lives is paying back enough to make the relationship worthwhile.  He doesn't call us his own because we have a pretty face or a striking resume. 
He just, loves us. 
​John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, (biblehub.com)

The Shepherd is calling

The offer is on the table, and we all have the choice and opportunity to respond.
  Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (biblehub.com) 
Some of us respond to the call like Blossom, because we know our shepherd.  In striking contrast, some will respond like my sheep who don't know their shepherd. 
And dude. It shows. Physically and emotionally.  
Eyes bulging and muscles tense, ready to flee at the drop of a needle.  They live their lives in spookish terror of what might happen next. I can almost see 3000 plans of how to avoid their coming doom fly through their little brains as their hearts begin to pump overtime to support this shocking serge of electric brain activity.

It kind of breaks my heart when I have spent countless hours trying to connect, assuring them that I have a plan and that my intentions are for their good.  "But hey, if you want to run around like frickin' terrified nutcases instead of coming with me for a greener pasture and a smidgen of grain, ya'll  just have fun."  (My actual words this week.) lol
Well, I may have sacrificed a bit of time and money on those crazy sheep, but Jesus sacrificed himself, even while we wanted ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with him. ​Romans 5:8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (biblehub.com)
​If that doesn't GET YOU.  ​

The King of love my Shepherd is

I don't know what you all are going through, but this I do know.  His heart is full of kindness and compassion...and he is WAAAYY more patient than I am as a shepherd. Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (biblehub.com).  He is Jehovah Jireh, provider of all our needs.  He leads us beside still waters and restores our souls. 
Just trust him.
 I know for a fact that relying on Him and resting in his power will renew your joy and give your life purpose, even if it is completely the opposite of what you hoped or dreamed.  As a once very broken lamb, I have tasted and seen the goodness of our Shepherd.  
  Blossom's secret to success and satisfaction is a vibrant relationship with her shepherd.  Is your faith built on a solid relationship with yours?  Are you spending time with Him, and bomb-proofing your life against fear?  What do you spend most of your time thinking about, talking about, and worrying about?  Are your eyes bulging, or are you standing at the feet of the Shepherd, enjoying his provision and peace?