Little One! It’s so good to see you! it’s been a long time!

I want to hear all about your adventures while you were in the other pasture. Let’s settle down under this shady tree.it’s going to be a hot one today! I passed signs warning about air quality today. What’s that, Little One? What’s air quality? Let’s just say that your shepherd will have you lying in the shade much of today because it will be so hot and humid.

So, tell me, Little One, did you know why your shepherd was taking you to a new pasture? No? Your shepherd didn’t explain it to you? You know he cares for you so you just trust him and follow where he leads? Wow! That’s good advice for us humans! And the relationship you must have with your shepherd to trust him like that! That kind of relationship takes time to build!

Little One, can we stop here for a minute? I know you haven’t even begun your story yet but can we talk about the relationship you have with your shepherd?

How did that relationship come about? How did you build it? How did it develop?

You’re staring at me blankly, Little One. From the look in your eye, I’d say you have no idea what I’m talking about. Is it because relationships aren’t usually planned out step-by-step? You didn’t do these three things or take these five steps or read certain books that  want to try and explain your relationship with your shepherd. Your relationship with your shepherd developed slowly over time. Day after day, you saw your shepherd care for you and protect you. You learned from experience that he is trustworthy. So when he took you to another pasture, you simply followed. Is that right?

Dear woman friend reading this, what is your relationship like with your Shepherd, the Lord Jesus? Have you spent enough time with Him to learn that He is trustworthy and cares for you and so you simply follow where He leads?

This relationship doesn’t happen overnight just like Little One did not develop his trusting relationship with his shepherd overnight. It took time. Time spent watching and listening and experiencing. Little One’s shepherd will probably never explain to Little One why he took him to another pasture. He doesn’t owe Little One an explanation and Little One could probably never understand anyway.

God may never explain to us why He does things. He doesn’t owe us an explanation and chances are, we would not understand anyway. But then the trust that has been built over time comes into play and knowing the reason isn’t as important. You’ve learned from experience to trust your Shepherd and to follow Him.

This is where we all need to be in our lives. What step can you take today to develop that relationship? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it!