Driving out of the estate of Cricket St.
Thomas, made famous for the filming of
‘To the Manor Born’ we had enjoyed a break with Bridgens Tours, but now,
packed into our comfy minibus, we
noticed this one solitary lamb. What was he doing there all on his
own? Obviously some days since his
birth, for his legs were strong, we knew he should not have been alone. All
week we had enjoyed watching the flocks
of sheep, their little ones gambling around or suckling contentedly.
We had nearly driven through the
gates when we caught a glimpse of an
elderly shepherd. He already had a
newborn in his arms. Doubtless he was intent on taking it home to the
farmhouse where his wife, maybe, would care for this helpless little one when
he had spotted the wanderer, and was now striding purposefully towards it.
No, this one was not in need of the warmth
of the kitchen or of a nourishing bottle, just of being rounded up and sent in
the right direction to where it would be reunited with his mother, safe and
protected.
How comforting to know that however long
we have been walking with Jesus, and though we are still prone to wander, we
cannot go beyond the care of Jesus, our good Shepherd.
And perhaps God was using that wayward
lamb to remind us that none of us are
meant to ‘go it alone.’ Yes, all we like sheep have gone astray, but the
Good Shepherd has brought us into his flock and into his green pastures, and is
far more concerned for each one of us, that we should not stray beyond his
care.
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