Ezekiel 34:23-31: One Shepherd
Thursday, May 11, 2023
We have reflected on God’s home and God’s foolish message. We have watched Paul and Barnabas use sinew and muscle to share the good news of God’s mercy. Today we consider how God’s goodness and love nurture and shepherd us.
Adapted from a Favorite written on April 5, 2008.
Today some of my children have gathered to help me with the chores that are too much for me to accomplish on my own, and I know that my parents are happy about this. I also know that Mother and Dad are here in spirit, continuing to shepherd from the next world, even as they shepherded in this one. They loved to call together “work parties” with the ostensible purpose of accomplishing some task, but which always resulted in more bonding than any of us could have imagined.
Shepherds protect and guard in many fashions. My parents led us to the nourishing springs Ezekiel describes that rejuvenate even dead bones. How do we lead others? How do our actions speak to others? How do we demonstrate our willingness to love as Jesus loves?
For my part, I will allow God to call me and mine as God sees fit . . . and I rejoice to see my children and their children live lives that are happy not because they are satisfying themselves, but because they are doing what they know to be the work of God.
In good times and in bad, in celebration and in sorrow, it is my constant prayer that my children, grandchildren and I might continue helping one another to keep our eyes fixed on the the one shepherd who cares for his sheep so well.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)
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