An example of a goat, a lesson from the Shepherd

I have always loved animals. As far back as I can remember I have had some kind of pet(s). I was the little girl dragging someone’s poor dog home thinking it must be a stray. I can remember a time when we had so many dogs and cats along with a pony, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs; that finally my mom said no more and put a limit on how many could live there.

 

That really didn’t go away in time. I grew up but as long as Bruce and I have been married – there has always been some kind of pet(s). But so often I learn great things from them. And sometimes I hear God speak to me through their actions. Some of the most memorable lessons have come from a variety of animals.

 

Many years ago I had the privilege to raise dairy goats. I’m not sure if I began with a true purpose other than I just love goats. I always have love their immense curiosity and the fact that they would give milk – well that was just a bonus. Keep in mind I had never raised goats before and wasn’t real sure what to do when I got them. I read everything available on the subject and visited several surrounding farms.

The decision was made on the breed of goat. I chose Nubians. I don’t know if it was because I liked the look or the goat or because they are so vocal and so am I. It’s been said that a Nubian always sounds like it is complaining about something. I always thought they just had a lot to say and said it loudly.

I found two baby does and purchased them. Sadie and Katie and I were big buddies from the beginning. Sadie had the most tender heart and Katie, well she was a true goat but really the most beautiful. They trusted and loved me completely. Now they liked Bruce but they loved me.

I learned the difference between a hireling and a true shepherd. A hireling is there for the money. They don’t care about the animal itself, they take care of the needs of the animal just so they can get paid. A shepherd he cares for and protects the flock. He leads the flocks to eat and drink. He looks for the strays. He loves the animal, cares about the breed.

Goats seem to understand the difference as well. When they saw my husband coming they would bleat softly, but when they saw me….they sounded as if someone were killing them. They would run up to me just for me to touch them.

At night I would lock in them in a stall to protect them from coyotes and other predators. In the morning when I would go to the barn they would try to kick the door down. At first we thought it was just because they wanted out, so when Bruce would go with me he would say “Morning Glories” (our goat greeting to them) and they would bleat ever so sadly, but if I said right after him “Morning Glories” you could hear them scramble to their feet and begin butting the door. When I would open the door they would come to me just to feel my touch.

Upon seeing this, the Lord quickened my heart and I heard “why don’t you kick the door as excitedly when I call upon you?” Ouch.

The Great Shepherd Himself takes time out to touch me or talk with me and I am not nearly as excited as the goats were that day. I looked deep within and changed that –rather quickly I might add.

That certainly changed the way I walked with Him. When He calls my name rather than running afraid He wants me to do something, or ignoring Him because He is correcting me – I kick the door down unable to wait to get to Him. Just for His touch. Just because He wants me. Just because He loves me. Just because.

The Great Shepherd Himself loves us so much. He wants a personal, intimate relationship with us. He is the Guardian of my soul.

1 Peter 2:25 (NASB95)

²⁵ For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

 

What about you?  When He calls your name how do you respond?  Are we as the Body of Christ kicking the door to get to Him?  Today how quickly will you open that door to get to Him for a touch, or a word, or just to sit with Him awhile?

An example of a goat, a lesson from the Shepherd. Many lessons were taught to me. Sometimes we have to see a visual to really understand what He may want from us and for us. I understood that lesson to its fullest.

Isaiah 40:11–12 (NASB95)

¹¹ Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. ¹² Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales?

There have been others – from other animals. Perhaps this week I’ll talk more on the lessons from the barn.

Until then….

Just sitting at His Feet,