Drinking from Dirty Water

I am really loving reading Psalm 23 and learning more about it as I look out my window at the sheep pastures all around. There are rolling green hills behind our house where we can see dots of white across them, that are the sheep grazing. If I ever moved from here I think it would be Heaven before I saw something as beautiful as this ever again. (Sidenote: we can also see Lough Ree "Lock Ree", which is fed from the Shannon River.).

I am learning more about shepherding from my local farmer friends and also more about the Great Shepherd. One thing about moving sheep is that they like to stop and drink water our of dirty mud puddles that may have parasites or oil from cars. The job of the shepherd is to keep the flock moving to a place where they are safe and have a place of rest and good nourishment. A good shepherd will take them to a place with fresh water, lush pastures and hopefully no predators (local dogs or foxes). Left to themselves though the sheep would follow each other, getting lost, eating grass that may have poisons or poisonous to the sheep, and drinking dirty water that may have parasites or just junk in it that is not good for them.

It reminds me that left to myself I will do the same. I will settle for less than what my Shepherd intends for me. I will fail to know of what I truly have available to me because of my ignorance and shortsightedness. I will partake in things that look and seem nice but in the end are not good for me and lead to consequences and enslavement instead of the freedom I have within His protection and guidance. I will not be nourished and fed and will be thirsty.

Lord help me to follow You. You are the Great Shepherd. You're ways are higher than our ways (Psalm 119). Help me not to settle for less but to abide in You by staying close through the reading of your love letter to us (Bible), and walking with you daily. I leak and need water. I am not perfect and need You to fill me. I need "water" to fill me from a source that is clear and clean and never runs dry. Thank you Lord that You are that source and give freely to all who truly seek You alone and for your grace to us even in our sin. In Jesus name, Amen.

By the way, my dirty water has been discontentment, pride, coveting, and anger. And that is just this week! Whew! But thank the Lord that He is faithful to complete His work in those who are His. I need a lot of work but I am thankful it is God that does it, because it is too big for me.

PS pictured it our friend Frank that is so kind to let us come to his house in lambing season. We actually got to see a lamb born which is shown below. They are a blessing to know. Frank is Irish and Tina, his wife, is from Burlington, NC!

Note; pictures are not posting. Will try later.