The Shepherd (A Poem for Mothers)

Never forget the value of what you do in your home.

Whether you are dusting the furniture or wiping bottoms,

Reading a story or comforting your toddler at the doctor,

Wiping down the table or on your knees praying,

You are shepherding the hearts of your kids.

You see, it takes all of that…

The cleaning

The teaching

The putting on of Band-Aids and answering emails…

To affect the lives of children.

Each day you wake up to these blessings of Christ wrapped in your flesh and bearing your name

And you stand in the gap for them

Doing what only you can do

And all the things that are so hard to do…

Each day you are the watchful eye of Christ

The just Hand of God

The comfort of the Holy Spirit

The Heart of the Savior bursting with care and intent.

Oh, I am well aware that’s not how you feel every day…but somehow… the ministry of motherhood goes forth from your life

Lives are changed…

Whether your heart is in it that day or not.

Because He delights in using broken vessels for His glory

And His glory shines forth in you.

How do I know?

Look at the fruit.

No, not just one fruit at a time…

But stand back and see the entire tree.

Or better yet the entire vineyard…

No, the entire landscape of your life with your kids!

I dare you to look and just see a messy house,

Or just another day of the same drive down the same roads,

Or another fieldtrip,

Another reading time

Or tuck in at night…

Look harder.

Beg for the Eyes of Christ…

See the child who hears the enemy each day whisper, “You will never be smart. You will never be good enough.” And see you, the shepherd, hold up your shield of faith against those fiery arrows over and over saying, “You are wonderfully made! You are designed by the Gift-Giver and He has not passed you over! I will believe in you until you can believe in yourself!”

Shepherds are Truth-tellers.

See your awkward child alone on the playground and hear you, the shepherd simply say, “Sweetie are you okay? Do you want to come sit with mommy for a minute?” or hear your mama-heart swaddle your child’s future in tear-filled prayers for friendship. You put the enemy on the run because he cannot bear to be in the presence of the heartfelt love of Christ.

Shepherds protect the vulnerable.

See your child with the learning disability struggle through homework with fear and anxiety and hear you, the shepherd say, “Don’t miss your heart for God, see also the best in you, not just the weaknesses. I will walk with you. You are not alone.”

Shepherds are Battle-Partners.

See your child struggling with rebellion and defiance, and see you, the shepherd, saying, “Nothing you do will make Jesus stop loving you. Nothing you do will make me discredit your worth as a child of God.  I will love you forever. I will fight for you.”

Shepherds bear the Cross of Loving Others.

It is with these eyes I challenge you to see your work when you are tired and lonely

Frustrated and overwhelmed

Or just plain bored,

See with these eyes.

See with the vision of the Great Shepherd Himself. The one who says to you, “whatever you do for these little ones you do for me…”

See the Eyes of Love and Grace staring deep into your heart and whispering, “I’m in control. Do what you can do. I will do what you cannot do.”

See His Gaze of Delight and great pleasure in all you are… and all you are not.

Be encouraged today. Christ stands with you!

Be honored to be counted among the names Christ has chosen for Himself: Teacher, Counselor, Leader, Servant…

Shepherd.

Stay Strong Mamas, DJ

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