THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

I'm so glad I have a Shepherd who watches over me. I read somewhere that if a sheep went astray - that the shepherd would bring him back into the fold. If the little sheep kept wandering off and did not listen to the shepherd- the shepherd would have to break the little sheep's leg. But he just didn't leave the little sheep to heal somewhere. He would gather that little sheep up into his arms, bind up his broken leg and then cuddle him in his bosom until the little sheep healed. He never had trouble with that little sheep again. He knew he was loved and would so meekly follow the shepherd. Isn't that the way with our Shepherd? If we start to wander from the fold Our Great Shepherd may have to chastise us - but when He does He draws us to His bosom and lets us know that He loves us. I remember my Dad doing the same thing to this disobedient child. I was a very young teen at the time. Dad usually did not spank us. He was usually working and Mom had the job of discipling her little flock of six. We got what we southerns called a whupping. I see so many parents having trouble with their children. Did you ever hear 1-2-3? I can't imagine my parents saying 1-2-3- unless they were counting the licks we got. Some read books on how to discipline children. The modern approach! Even go to a psychologist to see what's wrong with their child. Back when I was growing up Mom and Dad had their own psychology. It worked! Thanks to good parents that saw traits in their children that could lead down the wrong road later. I somehow think that counting 1-2-3 and giving children time to be more disobedient will not work later on in their life. Back to my spanking! That's what I prefer to call it. ! I don't remember what I did or said but it must have been that Dad saw something that needed correcting. He gave me a spanking and broke my heart. I thought My Dad loved me! I went and sat on the sofa across the room fom him and sobbed. He told me to come where he was. I just sat there! I did not want another spanking. But by the tone of his voice I know I had better go. He so gently sat me on his lap. I was still sobbing! He wrapped his arms around me and as I looked up I saw tears running down his face as he said "Daddy didn't want to spank you but I did it because I love you." He never had to spank me again. He broke my will and got my respect that day and I have thanked the Lord across the years for that good ole spanking. It made it so much easier for me to say yes to Jesus.

How many times in my Christian life has my Heavenly Father corrected me and then picked me up into His Great Big Arms and said, "I love you, my child but I correct you because I love you."

I am posting a poem I wrote years ago. I had read the 23 Psalm and meditated on it for awhile.

Then penned this poem:

The Lord is my Shepherd, This I surely know.

He gently leads and guides me in the way that I should go.

He leads in green pastures by the water that is still,

Where I can lay down in peace, and know that He is real.

He leads in paths of righteousness, this is for His Name's sake,

The path is so wonderful, no other would I take.

Sometimes He leads in valleys where His face I cannot see.

But I will fear no evil for I know He's there with me.

His rod and staff - they comfort, I wonder what I would do

Without His Love and Mercy to bring me safely through?

When the enemy opresses hard- A table He doth spread,

He anoints me with fresh oil, I have not a thing to fear.

Sometimes my cup runneth over and I feel so compelled

To think of my Great Shepherd - and to others tell

Of His Goodness, Love and Mercy that will follow me all my life,

If I stay true and follow Him and keep my soul upright.

One day I'll dwell in the house that He has gone to prepare

But I will first find my Shepherd, Who helped me to get there.

Then I'll enjoy the splendor of that city so fair

Where we can rest in peace and not have a care.