The Shepherd’s Dog

Her Eyes Were Fixed on The Shepherd

The Shepherd, Ray, stood at the top of the hill. His dog, Lynn, stood beside him waiting patiently. I stood with my two-year-old grandson, watching them from outside the pasture. The Shepherd raised his hand and pointed as he spoke. I could not hear what he said, but immediately the dog raced down the hill next to the pasture fence and along a well-travelled path. The dog went well past the flock of sheep and circled behind the flock. She inched forward until finally, she stood frozen in place with her eyes fixed on the Shepherd. She did not move again until after the Shepherd began to give his commands.

My Father Explained

I stood watching in awe as I felt the presence of my Heavenly Father come and stand beside me. As I began to speak to my Holy Father, I could feel in my heart that Ray and Lynn had become much more than a man and his well-trained dog. I told God how amazed I was that this dog could be so far away from the Shepherd and yet still continue to look at the Shepherd for her next command. I felt a little convicted as I explained what impressed me the most, because I often took my eyes off my own Shepherd, Jesus. My Father did not scold me for my shortcomings, but instead lovingly comforted me as He explained that this dog had spent a lot of time being personally trained by her Shepherd, and that made a difference. Because of her training, she understood each hand signal, whistle, and word spoken by her Master. She had been well-trained to keep her eyes on her Master. God emphasized that when Lynn remembered to keep her eyes on her Shepherd, she did her best work.

I Wanted Her Focus

I longed to be faithful and well-trained too as I watched this faithful and well-trained dog work and rejoice when the sheep had been safely gathered into the sheep pen. I was almost envious as I saw the evidence of their close relationship and watched as the Shepherd praised her for her good work. My Father comforted me and promised me that if I continue to spend personal time with my Good Shepherd, study, not resist my training and keep my eyes on Jesus, then I too could be like this faithful companion. I prayed longingly, asking to be made faithful and well-trained. I knew my prayer would be answered. I can still take confidence in that prayer, because I know God brought me to that place and that time for that prayer. I had been beating myself up for my failures, and God had brought me there that day to comfort me through my friends, reminding me that I am still in training. The memory of that day still comforts me.

Friends Are a Blessing

People who share themselves and reach out to us in true friendship are such a blessing! Time goes on, and we all eventually pass away physically, as Ray did. Those who have received Christ as their saviour, spiritually go home to God for their reward and begin an even greater life. Meanwhile, here on earth, their influences and the work that was done within our spirit by their acts of friendship and sharing continue to grow within us. I can testify that I am forever touched and changed spiritually because I watched as Ray, an earthly shepherd, demonstrated how his faithful dog could safely gather a flock of sheep for her master. Ray knew my two-year-old grandson would enjoy watching his dogs gather sheep, but little did he know that God had a plan to use him to bless me in such an everlasting way.

Our Good Shepherd

Each morning, each child of God, called by God, takes a stand prayerfully beside the Good Shepherd, waiting as the living Word of God takes root within them. We can take confidence in knowing the LORD is our Good Shepherd and we are being lovingly trained. Trained so that we can someday rejoice with Him and hear Him tell us we have done well. Long ago, God had given me Psalm 23. I used to see it only from the perspective of a lamb and imagined Jesus standing all alone as He watched over me. Now I have a new perspective, I can see a faithful companion working with Jesus. Jesus does not have to stand on that hill all alone watching over His sheep. If we are willing to be trained to stand beside Him and follow Him. Until we learn to keep our eyes on Jesus and obey His commands, we will fail to accomplish the Shepherd’s goal. God will continue to train us until we learn that fundamental and required lesson.

In 2007, I wrote about that day’s event that touched me so deeply because Ray Bailey had died from a heart attack. It helped me to work through my grief as I remembered that day and how God came and stood beside me as I watched Ray demonstrate how important it is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Ray Bailey and his girlfriend Pat loved to take his Border Collies that he raised and trained to Dog Trials where they would compete in sheep herding. They were thinking it would be a fun event for me to take my Grandson to. Can we ever really comprehend how God can use a simple act of friendship, kindness or sharing of our lives? After I wrote this in 2007, I placed it in a file along with my grief. When I think of Ray and Pat, I know someday in heaven we will all get together again. That thought warms and comforts my heart.

Holy Father of Love, sanctify us in Your holiness in the name of Christ Jesus. Finding my account of that day in my file blessed me again as I remembered that prayer and how You used Ray to bless me. He surely was a ray of golden light in my life and others’ too. I remember listening in Sunday School Class as people shared their own stories about Ray being a blessing in their lives as well. Thank you for bringing people like Ray and Pat into our lives. We are truly blessed and more prosperous in spirit because of the time we have people like Ray and Pat in our lives. It is comforting to know we will have plenty of time in heaven to be with them again. I am so glad You are the God of the living! Praise You, Jesus, that Your resurrection was just the beginning. The day of rejoicing is coming! This story also reminds me that You are still training me to keep my eyes on Jesus. Looking back in time, I can see sometimes how my training was difficult because I resisted. Sometimes I would be distracted easily by whatever was going on around me. I am sorry for that. Praise You that You do not condemn me for my shortcomings. Here I am, because You have not given up on me. Thank you for being so patient, loving, and reminding me that I am still learning. Thank You, Jesus! Praise God for Your persistent patience with us all. Lord God Almighty, be glorified for who You are and how kind You are to us all. Amen.

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