The Great Shepherd

Our youngest grandson and granddaughter (ages 11 and 13) are learning to show lambs. It has been six years since the Stewarts showed lambs. We thought that it was the end of an era when our oldest grandson and two granddaughters had very successful years at the Iowa State Fair. But no, the tradition continues in a different state and on a different farm with different grandchildren and different sheep. 

Most of you know we lived on an acreage where we raised show lambs, before moving to Ankeny. We sold our flock of 50 sheep, and lock, stock and barrel (which was more sheep stuff than you could ever imagine). We moved to be closer to our younger son and his family on an acreage near Granger. He had a shed for enough show lambs for his oldest two daughters and his nephew to compete on the show lamb circuit and exhibit in 4-H and FFA at the county and state fairs for two years.

Then a job opportunity arose and that family moved to North Carolina, then Virginia and then Arkansas. Those were sheep-less years for the Stewart's. 

Since we started showing sheep in about 1983, (with a couple of ordinary farm lambs), knowing nothing about 'show' sheep, I developed an obsession with sheep. I just love the portrayal of Jesus as the Good Shepherd of the sheep (you and me).

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). 

And Amen.