Closing your day with the Shepherd

It is not quite dusk yet, but you know that in a few moments, it will be. Flowers are starting to close, colors are growing dim. You look to the sky at the setting sun. A wave of peacefulness sweeps over you. Another day is done. It is time to go to the Shepherd once again. The hurry is not as great this evening. You enjoy watching the world around you as the shadows deepen. You walk through the fields, once again following the bubbling little brook until you see the dim form of the log bench by the pond. The Shepherd has yet to arrive. You smile as you sit and watch and listen. The frogs are chirruping in the pond – the ducks and geese are making their way to their nests. Almost lost in thought, you hear the gentle bleats of the sheep as the come forward for their final drink before they too settle down in the pasture for the night.

Your eyes strain to see Him. Suddenly, He is there beside You, looking at you with a bit of curiosity, yet a gleam of satisfaction in His eye. “Good evening, little one. Tell me, how was your day?” You bubble forth with the days adventures, much like the brook as it bubbled it’s way to the serenity of the pond. You explain your day. The ups of it – the downs of it. The successes – the failures. He beckons for you to sit next to him on the bench. Gladly you do so. Just to be near Him. You sit comfortably together, listening to the evening sounds.

“Thank you for meeting me here, Shepherd, night after night.”

“Oh, you are so welcome, child. It is a joy to sit and hear about your day. I delight in your successes, I encourage you in your failures that tomorrow, when it comes, may give you other opportunities to share.”

You look into his eyes, not wanting to go, but knowing you must get your rest if you are to meet Him again in the morning.

“Shepherd?” you ask.

“Yes?”

“Will you be awake all night with the sheep?”

“Yes child, I will be awake all night watching over them, protecting them from harm.”

“Shepherd?”

He does not wait for your question this time, but smiles lovingly at you.

“Yes child, I will be watching over you tonight, as well. Watching and protecting you. You may rest easy in that.”

Sighing, you walk slowly away, turning back now and then to reassure yourself that He is still there. His figure fades into the darkness, yet a warm glow has settled inside of you.

“He is my shepherd. I will not want.”

You walk slowly home and slip quietly into bed. You close your eyes and remember your Shepherd’s face – His voice. You drift off to sleep, knowing you are loved beyond measure.