Ok, here’s how it all started…
So what happened the very next day?!
I went jogging on the trail near our house and right smack in the middle of the trail—just starring at me was this little fellow:
The only reason I have a picture is because I jog with my iphone so I can listen to podcasts and music. So, I snapped a picture or 2 but the truth is, I could have taken a whole roll because he wasn’t moving! He just stared at me—the closer I got the closer he got. Wierd, huh?
I was stunned when I saw him for several reasons:
- Why was he all alone? Maybe his mother took off when she heard me coming—although I pride myself on being ninja quiet when I run.
- Once he saw me, why didn’t he bolt?
- How old was he?
- Why were all the stinkin animals within our entire area abandoning their young at my feet?
- Why was this guy—a totally different species—acting the same as the raccoon? He acted like he wanted me to take him home.
- The closer I got, the more curious he became.
Wasn’t it a bit odd to have two baby animals walk right up to me in 2 days? I thought so. So, I did what I always do. Asked God is He was playing a joke on me?
“Ok God, what’s the deal? Why is this little guy just standing there 1 foot away?! Are you trying to tell me something?
And you know what? I honestly think He was. And, call me crazy, but here it is…
As a pastor I am charged with feeding and leading the sheep of Southbrook. But, if I’m honest, the last year has been one of the toughest ever as I’ve learned repeatedly that some sheep bite! And they do other things too:
- Wander
- Form little sub-flocks and jump from sheep-fold to sheep-fold
- Hurt each other
- Unzip their sheep costume to reveal the wolf underneath
- Criticize
- Head Butt
I threw that last one in because my friend Johnny the sheep herder told me not to turn my back of the large male ram because that was exactly what he would do, if I did, so I didn’t.
So what does all this have to do with the cute, innocent little wildlife stalking me of late?
Maybe this scripture will help:
John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Does that help? No? Well how about this?
Matthew 18:14, “…your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”
Or, this one,
Matthew 28:20, “and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.”
Ok, I’m running low on scriptures. You should be seeing it by now. If not, here is the one that brought it all hone for me.
John 21:15–17, “Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus told him.”
What did I learn from my short lived stint as Grizzley Adams? Only that a shepherd loves the sheep no matter what, through no matter what—the good, the bad, and the ugly. And sometimes sheep will do or say hurtful things—especially the brand new baby Christians, but they also need guidance to help them learn and grow. You can’t just walk away from them—even the most headstrong and stubborn of them because, well, that was me when I first came to Jesus. And more than a few godly men and women didn’t give up on me.
I’m glad. Thankful too.
The least I can do is the same for those the Lord has charged me with.
All that from an encounter with Bambi?
Yep. Bambi and Shadow. One thing I’ve discovered is that the Lord is always talking. I’m just seldom listening.
* Oh, and Bambi? Well, he’s fine. Once I distanced myself enough mom came back and they scampered off. Well, she scampered. He sort of stumbled and fell over every few steps—couldn’t have been more than a day or 2 old!