Fueled by fear or food?

I’ve been mulling over this one for quite a while now. And I’m still amazed by all the different ways the sheep are such an example of who we are.

If you have been a shepherd for more than 5 minutes, or if you’re even considering being a shepherd, there are all kinds of people who will give you advice on how “dumb sheep” are. And I’m sure some of these people haven’t been around sheep A-day in their life. In the 1st days of being around your sheep you may also consider that they are “dumb sheep”.

…and find a few things that will be common to them all. They need food and water, necessities for all of us. They are driven by fear and food, and prefer to be in a secure, comfortable place. Some breeds feel more secure in numbers, and others are independent. They easily forget…

So first it is good to know that hunger and happiness are what they seek. They will do many annoying things to us in the pursuit of a full belly and what they perceive are the best morsels. Even if it is only in their head. That better tasting grass is just on the other side of the fence. Hmmm I guess I can relate. In my sweet little home I have all that I really need, but give me a few minutes to survey what is out there and I can find something that I really want. Then yes, the wheels start to turn about how I can make it happen. My sheep will do this thing where I know they are satiated, but think they see something on the other side that looks sweeter. I find that if I give them something else entirely they will move on to the next thing. However if they were just content with what they have it wouldn’t be a problem.

Sheep are driven by fear. So much so that they can be overtaken by it, and not eat, drink, or rest or… This seems to be the biggest reason why most people see the “dumb” in sheep. What they will do to get away from what they make up in their own heads as danger is nothing short of incredible. To be sure there are real dangers for sheep, but some of the reactions may be a bit over the top. They will run into things, rocket over things, and lose their ever lovin minds to get away from what might get them. So do I relate? Yes I have to admit that so many times I will choose comfort over something I perceive as scary. And most of the time it is just something I have made up in my mind. Do you relate? Is there something that you do about it? Are we all fueled by fear and food?

They easily forget. I cannot tell you how many times I have given a dear, sweet little message session with my calm quiet lambs. In the next moment I go to move them to somewhere else or just stand up and they just that quick forget who I am.

That I am not out to get them and I am looking for their best interest has completely escaped their heads. Or I have been handing out their favorite treats with abandon, and I turn around and all of a sudden it is like I have 3 heads. While some of them do have better memories they can all in a moment lose what they were doing and squirrel onto the grass 20 yards away. Oh my silly little head that only seems to remember the bad when I am having a bad day. Do we all so easily forget?

My charge and challenge is when we are satisfied, choose to be content. Rest in it. Take your own sweet time being thankful. Don’t constantly be looking for greener pastures. And in the same breath I can say don’t be afraid to move forward to take on something different than what you are used to. They are not mutually exclusive. You should do both. But do it with a look to the shepherd… or you may be outside of a boundary that means safety and contentment for you.

Truthfully as a sheep the shepherd makes that difference. As the keeper of my little flock I love my little lambs. When i get help, those helping refer to the “dumb sheep”, but I just can’t because they are mine, and I do understand them a little better. Even if it is just to eat without fear. When it is time for them to move to different pastures they will run frantically or jump over shadows. When they need doctoring I watch the fret in their eyes. There will most likely be some pain to go with the healing. But my favorite line from Seabiscuit “you don’t throw away a life just because it is a little banged up.” I know they have forgotten so many sweet moments. The quiet moments when they will lay down next to me and contentedly chew their cud. As the shepherd, those are such good times. I know they are at peace.

I know we have all seen the sheep that was living in a cave for a while. In all reality could he make it on his own? For a time I’m sure he thought he was doing fine, but we all realize that it wouldn’t be too much longer and there would be no need for a rescue. Certainly not the full life of a sheep with a good shepherd. How realistic is it to think that even another sheep could help him out of his desperate situation? Are we as people really able to make it all on our own? Can we be always content in the pasture eating and drinking all on our own?

All this time it is best not to forget what you have been through. Both remembering the great times to keep us hopeful, and the bad to govern us from wandering back into ways that take us away from the shepherd who has our best in mind.