Lambing Season

When we were on the farm, February meant we were knee deep in lambing season. Baby lambs would start coming shortly after the new year began. The earlier they were born, the bigger the lambs would be come weigh-in day in May. State fair judges usually picked the top lamb out of the middle weight division. That seems to be where the lambs look their best. 

John would watch the ewe lambs carefully during lambing season. The ewes were outside with a large shed for shelter. John could tell when the ewes were close to giving birth and would move them from outside to a large pen inside the lambing shed. He would watch them closely and when the ewes were close to delivering, he would move them into an individual pen in the heated lambing room.

Sometimes the lambing pens were full so not every mother-in-waiting would get inside. The lambs could be born in the large area. On occasion we would have several ewes deliver in the same large area while we were at work. There would be challenges matching up lambs with the mothers. John would pick up the lambs and usually the mother would follow him and the babies (usually twins) into the lambing pen.

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young," (Isaiah 40:11 NIV).

Lambing season was exciting but very labor intensive. There were ear tags to attach that identified the lambs as belonging to a certain ewe. This was recorded on the master list. Sometimes there were medical issues to doctor and nursing adjustments to be made. Not all the lambing process went smoothly. But the shepherd was always watching and giving care.

Our shepherd watches over us in the same way. He loves and cares for us, carrying us close to His heart. What a comforting image! 

Lord, thank you for being our shepherd, caring for us and leaving the 99 to search for us when we are lost. Wrap Your arms around us today and keep us close to Your heart. Amen.