“I know my sheep and they know me.” ~Jesus
Shepherds sit and watch their sheep. Really watch. For hours. Not while typing on the laptop or skimming a how-to book. But with both eyes, a focused heart and a receptive mind. To notice their habits. Observe their behavior. Study their ways.
Shepherds come to know the movement of the sheep. Predict their patterns. Understand their motivations. Shepherds—good ones—have taken time to intimately know their sheep. No assumptions. No guesses. No shortcuts.
And the sheep know the shepherd. For the shepherd is accessible. Present. Available. The shepherd lives, breathes, moves about in the world of the sheep—in their midst. Right among them….moving gently, predictably, calmly. Thus the sheep have no fear, abashment, or hesitations.
The sheep and shepherd know each other.
God has given me a flock of 5 little lambs. Guess that makes this Mama a shepherd. So, how well do I know my sheep?
Do I lay on the grass and listen to their hearts while we stare at the clouds? Do I sit and watch while they dig in the sandbox, peering into who they are? Do we go for long walks, chat over hot chocolate, share the funnies together? Do I take the time, am I wholly accessible, am I present—WITH them—- do I know my little sheep, the bent of their being?
This takes time. This takes hushing of a busy spirit. This is the work of a good shepherd becoming intimately acquainted with the sheep.
And do my sheep know me? Am I honest, vulnerable, transparent? Are they fearful of me? Do I lord my authority over them or do I move in gentle, soft, calm ways so they come easily to me, wanting to be close?
Sometimes I think I am in the herding and management business. But that isn’t what a good shepherd is about.
A good shepherd is in the KNOWING business.
Lord, I may have thorough, practical, logistical knowledge of how to raise these lambs, but not really have taken the time to KNOW these particular little sheep. Make me still to really watch. Open my ears to really hear. Let me get into their bubbles and share their world. I want to know my sheep—just a bit like You know Yours.
