Like well-cared for sheep, the girls have arrived at their destination. I have only heard tidbits of the last leg of their journey, so I can only imagine what relief there must be knowing that their sojourn is over. I know, for myself, the sense of relief I had when I heard their voices. (Lack of communication can make a parent a trifle nervous.)I am so pleased to hear how they met an angel of the Lord at every turn. When the map was unclear. When the food was unavailable. When the door was locked. When the bus was...a bus. God has been there, a very present help, every time. Am I surprised? No. My God is The God of grace, mercy, abundant love, and gifts. He loves to give good gifts to His kids. All kinds of gifts. Chocolate for dinner, an old can of soup, a hoarded roll and apple to fill the void. Beauty in unexpected places. And sheep.
Yes, sheep. The girls wanted to see sheep, and green valleys. I know I had to talk them into going to Wales. It took a lot of persuading...it was a long way out of the way and a cost was certainly involved. But the gift of Dolgellau is unexplainable. Sheep say it best. The land is full of them. And rock walls, made with hands and held together for centuries without mortar. A land full of color. Green hillsides. Ancient trees. Breathtaking mountain ranges. Dancing streams with crystal clear water. You see, Wales impressed me when I was there at 15. And again at 26. But the sheep....you see, sheep remind us that we are much like them. Sheep need leading. Protecting. Feeding and Watering. And rest. Lots of rest and peace. The shepherd provides all of it. Without a care for himself, he cares for his charges for a lifetime. His lifetime. As does our Shepherd. He leads us into peace, rest, refreshment, nourishment. He protects us like no other can. You see, we get lost when left to our own devices. We end up hungry, ill, lost, and ill-natured when we do things on our own.
Sheep are lovely. And Wales is full of them. Most of all, Wales is a place to remember your Shepherd, and relax in His tender care.
I am glad they are at the college now. I am more glad of the journey to get them there. The preparation for what comes next has been well worth it. I know that God met them at every turn.
1 comment:
The sheep meant a lot to us as well. There is something about going on a journey to a place where you know absolutely nothing that reminds me of the sheep and shepherd analogy. He leads, protects, heals, and feeds us. We have a very caring shepherd.
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