What does “God Is Our Shepherd” Really Mean?

On June 15, we launched the online summer Bible study, Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey. I spent months with shepherds, farmers, beekeepers, and vintners in order to understand the agrarian themes of Scripture.

-Why is the Promised Land flowing with honey?

-What does it mean to abide in the vine?

-What is Jesus teaching in the parable of the sower?

-And what does it mean that God says He is our Shepherd?

It’s not too late to grab a friend, or invite your children or grandchildren to dive into a Bible study where you can taste and see and touch the goodness of God.

Those of you who are reading along in the Scouting the Divine book and study, know I made a special connection to Lynne, the shepherdess. We’ve kept up throughout the years throughout Christmas cards and emails. I asked her to talk about her flock today, what she’s still learning about God and faith, and about some of the most beloved sheep from Scouting the Divine—including Piaget.

As you read Lynne’s words, reflect on God’s heart and tender care for you.

Margaret: Tell us about your current flock.

Lynne: It’s hard to believe I’ve been shepherding Shetland Sheep for 23 years. When I first started, I thought I could manage three or four sheep. This season we have 29.

Since you visited, we have lost four of the old ewes who were mentioned in Scouting the Divine: Meggie, Nola, Opal and Amber.

Iris is still with us. She is the one referred to in your book as being called “herself.” She has not changed even though she is now 13. As far as Iris is concerned, everything is still all about her.

Dawn is the elegant one. She has a rare amber gold color known as Mioget, and somehow I think she knows she’s unique. But she is gentle and always at my side for a head rub.

Chandra is the different one. When Chandra was born she was one of those little lambs that would not tame or trust me. She remained glued to mom’s side long after all of her other lamb mates were jumping into my lap. I time lying in the straw trying to entice Chandra to let my fingers touch her.

She had a unique way of staring into my eyes so she could figure out which way to dart in case I reached out to touch her.

One night as I was attempting the taming, I laid in the straw, stared into her eyes, and tried to communicate that if she let me be her friend, if she let me touch her I would keep her forever. It may sound weird, but within a few minutes I had her. She was in my hands.

Time went on. She was always a little different from the others. But I remembered my bonding promise that she will be one who stays here forever.

(Chandra)

As more time went on she learned to fly—meaning she rejected the barrier of the 3-foot hay feeder that separates my pens. She jumped (flew) over this barrier. I was concerned about her falling into the feeder and breaking her leg so we added another vertical panel that made the feeder 4 1/2 feet high.

This did not deter her.

We added a cover to the hay feeder so she would not fall into it if her jump failed. This cover only provided a trampoline base to make her leaps higher and more elegant.

This weird behavior did add some management issues for me because a few weeks ago in one of her flying leaps she got to a bucket of grain I had set down in a place that I thought was clear of sheep and nearly did herself in by overeating—a very dangerous activity for sheep.

Chandra is still not pleased to be with the adults even though she’s 2. Every morning, lambs have races. Only those with sheep know the joy of watching lambs run as fast as their legs can carry them until they collapse in exhaustion.

Chandra saw this from her side of the wall.  She flew over the wall to join the lambs in the frolicking “lamb race.”

She was like a lamb—running and racing, frolicking and jumping, turning and twirling. They pounced and danced as if on a trampoline.

That morning Chandra became one of the lambs again. Chandra may be two years old, but she’s still a lamb at heart.

(Chandra)

Margaret: Have you had any interesting breeding experiences this spring?

Lynne: One of the most unique births this season was a tiny ewe named Delta. Her mother was Egypt, a regal horned ewe. She is now 12. I usually don’t breed an ewe that old, but I wanted a daughter from Egypt.

After a long night of labor, Egypt gave birth to a large 8-½-boy lamb at 5:30 am. I was exhausted after being up all night and helping another ewe give birth.

After dropping her little ram lamb, Nile, I thought Egypt was finished. She has never had twins, and she looked thin after her delivery.

Then I heard a splash. A two-pound black ewe popped out. That’s very small. Her legs were like noodles. She had no body fat and began to chill and move towards hypothermia.

I was beyond tired having been up all night. I knew I had to stabilize the little one’s internal temperature, so I scooped her up, put her under my shirt onto my warm breast, went into the house, got a heating pad to put on my chest so the lamb could warm from the top and the bottom and we went to bed for a few hours.

I sensed her slipping into a coma and was not sure if she would make it, but I was too tired to keep my eyes open.

A few hours later, I awoke to some quiet little baas from the little one. She wiggled her legs. When I returned little Delta to her mom, Egypt surprised me as she happily accepted her little daughter.

(Delta)

For the next few days Egypt and I co-parented.  Now Delta is a vibrant member of the lamb flock. She is still tiny compared to the others. She is special. She has a mother and a mother/shepherd. Delta will be staying on our farm.

Margaret: Where is Piaget, the famed sheep from Scouting the Divine, now?

Lynne: Piaget continues to be a delight. She is 9 and lives on the farm of one of my dear friends. She still has that tilt to her head that makes her look perpetually curious. Piaget continues fulfilling her purpose in life by being a beloved pet to these two girls. Every once in a while, someone doing a Scouting the Divine Bible Study finds me online.

I have had the joy of hearing about the Bible studies, answering a few shepherding questions and knowing that Piaget has touched many people with her story. She does not know this, of course, but it helps to remind me that God uses us in amazing ways, even when we do not know it.

(Piaget in her current home)

I’m so grateful for Lynne and all her insight.

As you read Lynne’s words, what most reminded you of God’s heart toward you?

Looking for a new worship playlist to listen to as you study? Here's one of my favorites.