The Good Shepherd

Today I had a sheep in my box. Every year we have someone bring sheep, goats and a donkey to our Palm Sunday procession. The children (and adults) get to pet the sheep and the goats and watch as they wander all over the grass. And then the procession begins. I always have lots of volunteers to lead the animals in the procession at the beginning, and it is only once we get started that the children realize how hard it is to get the sheep to walk in the right direction. They can pull as hard as they like on the lambs, but it is only with just the right coaxing that they can get them to move. How wonderful it is to have a good shepherd who knows each of our names. A shepherd who leads us to green pastures and cool water and who was willing to lay down his life for us. A good shepherd who is always there for us, no matter how difficult we are to lead.