SHEPHERDS WORTH THEIR SALT
Today's reading:  John 10-12

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."  John 10:11 NLT

This verse has taken on a whole new meaning since we've become 'farmers'.

Our farmette is home to a menagerie of birds and beasts...all of them requiring attention, feed and cleaning up after.

Twenty-four hours a day.  Seven days a week.  Rain or shine.  Pleasant or inclement weather.  Like it or not.  

We have animals that love us dearly and animals who tolerate us because we carry them food each and every morning.  We have critters who are docile and sweet then we have a few you cannot turn your back on unless you want pecked at or want an opportunity to chase them around the country block in an attempt to put them back in their pens.

God knows, to the nth degree, about it.

He's wanted for what He can do.  He's tolerated for the hand-outs He's able to provide.  He's called on when He's needed.  He's 'on-call' at all times.  His desires sometimes pen us in and coop us up, all in an attempt to keep us safe, healthy and in His will.  He's always chasing after one or more who have flown the coop.  He's busy, oh so busy, cleaning up our messes.

And He does it with a smile--I cannot say the same!

He is the good shepherd.  We are, on our best days, the adequate farmers.