He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:11 ESV
I once raised sheep. And I know this: a shepherd expects the sheep to pull their weight. He expects them to walk on their own. He expects them to graze without instruction. He expects them to take care of their lambs without his help. You might call that a works-based culture.
And if a sheep begins to fail, for whatever reason, you might expect the sheep to think—if it could think—that it had failed its Master, that it was now useless, and needed to “get with the program” and try harder.
But, no, Jesus is not that kind of Shepherd. When a sheep can no longer carry out its sheeply function because of injury, condition, or age, He does not say, “You useless sheep!” He picks that sheep up and carries it.
The sheep is never useless to the Shepherd. It is loved and cared for. It may not be able to do what it once did; it may think its best days of service are over. But the Shepherd knows otherwise. And He has purposes for the sheep it cannot imagine.
So, friend, if you find you can no longer do what you once so easily did, do not despair. Do NOT think you are useless! You have moved from one stage of life in which you were naturally productive to the next in which you are the closest to the Shepherd’s heart.
And that is the best place to be!
Image: Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4502600
This Mind 
Bill, that was lovely – and I’m so glad Dad is there where you know and speak these truths, in your everyday walk and life with him! Hope you have a good Monday! Deb
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Crafted for him. He seemed encouraged today!
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I don’t feel like I am closer to non-productive end, but my body tells me every day. Thank you for this reminder of who I must rely on!
Donna (camp fasola 2013)
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Love this post…such encouragement for everyone as we journey through life.
Sent from Nine ________________________________
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Hi Bill,
I think of his life as a series of deposits into peoples lives like mine and Pennys.
The time I watched him minister to a couple contemplating brain surgery or his ability to comfort a couple with a daughter with a disability, or praying for a newborn girl and the relationship she would have with her older brother growing up.
The many times he put his arms around us during communion and his ability to make us feel really loved.
So even though he can’t do everything he used to do,those things he did up to this point are just as fresh to us, as if they happened yesterday, and for us it’s been almost forty years.
Your friend, Bruce
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Bruce, thank you for the very thoughtful reply. We feel exactly the same way. And it is a blessing to have Curt in our home. Oh, the memories!
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Oh Bill, this is perfect – I just read it again. I think I need to print it out to remind myself often. Thanks for thinking…Judi Lynn
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