We want sheep to be clean and fluffy and nice. And in some respects it is the same thing we want for ourselves. But we aren’t always nice and clean and peaceful. We are like sheep, a bit unruly and not all clean and nice. Often we are wayward seeking ways to get around the safety nets meant to protect us, to teach us and help us get up when we fail and show us a loving path.
We aren’t as clean as we think we should be. We aren’t always where we should be or worse where we want to be. Oh, we are like sheep heading off on our own, getting lost and caught up with briars and dirt. But the really amazing thing is that the great shepherd of the flock understands our sheepness and calls us back into the fold. We are washed, and healed and together we learn that the sheep meadow is not intended to keep us penned in, but allow us to take the journey of faith and get dirty and smell bad and yet be welcomed back as many times as we need.
As many times as we need, not on a limited use license. We are on a welcome to life ticket. A ticket for washes and cleans us, dusts us off when we fall down, and picks out the burrs. We have our wounded and fevered brows anointed. We are invited, accepted and encouraged.
Journey well…
