Darkness crept in like a thief. Too late. Now they didn’t know how to get home. A staccato of fear pounded in their hearts as they huddled together. Exposed. To whatever and whoever may want to harm them.
Many years ago when we still had children at home, we raised sheep, and one night they didn’t return to our lighted yard before darkness fell. They never stayed out in the darkness, so I walked out to the front fence line of our pasture. There they were huddled together like one dark blot about halfway back in the pasture, desperately bleating, “Baaaaahhhh!”
“Here sheep! Here sheep! Here sheep!” I called. They calmed down and began to move in my direction. When I stopped calling, they stopped, so I kept calling until they found the lighted pathway back to home.
Isn’t that how life can go sometimes? We can be contentedly munching on the blessings. We don’t see the lengthening shadows of what lies ahead. And unexpectedly, losses of one kind or another blindside us and plunge us into darkness. We panic and flail because we can’t seem to find our way to the light. Fear abounds and we don’t feel safe anymore. We try to pull up the storehouse of God’s Promises we hold in our hearts, but we can’t focus. The darkness deprives us of discernment, despondency deadens us, and dread debilitates us. Which way is home?
The sheep cried, and we, too, can cry. Their protector heard them, and our Protector will always hear us. He hears the weakest cry and can see through the thickest darkness.
When the sheep heard my voice, they recognized me as one who cared. They couldn’t see me, but they trusted I would lead them to safety. Do we know Jesus’ voice? Do we realize how much He cares? So much that He even gave up His life for us? Do we trust Him to guide us home?
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27
“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt
those who are] My own and My own know Me
[and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—”
John 10:14 AMP
The sheep got confused when they couldn’t hear my voice above their noise, so they sometimes had to be quiet. Likewise, when we’re crying out of the pain of darkness, we may sometimes have to be still and listen, to tune in our ears to our Master’s voice. Do you hear it now? Jesus stretches forth His scarred hands and pleads, “Come, come, come… Come, My sheep. Come unto Me, all you Who are weary. I will give you rest. Come to Me, you who are in darkness. I will give you light. In Me is safety. I am your HOME.”
“Come to Me,
all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said,
“I am the light of the world. If you follow Me,
you won’t have to walk in darkness,
because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12
Do you feel the most at home at Jesus’ feet? When darkness overtakes you, do you cry out? The Good Shepherd hears your every bleat of pain. Can you hear Him calling you? Do you hear the love and longing in His voice? Follow His voice. He can lead you back to the light. He can lead you back home.
“Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”
Sung by Alan Jackson
Thank You, Good Shepherd,
for Your tender love and care!
Please help us to hear Your voice
and lead us to Your light!
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Freed to Fly 
What a comforting post. And that song…a classic oldie…brings calm. Thanks again, Trudy. 🙂
LikeLike
You’re so welcome, Sita. I’m blessed that you were comforted. I find that song brings calm, too. It’s so amazing how Jesus softly and tenderly Jesus calls to us to come home to Him. He deeply longs for us to have a relationship with Him. Praying He will give you hope, peace, and strength for each day! Hugs!
LikeLike
Hi Trudy! I really related to this post. I loved the example of the lost sheep, and how they had to be quiet to hear your voice. So powerful! And so true, at least for me. I can cram my days full of ‘stuff’ that’s all good, but I have to include time in prayer, time to listen. That way, I don’t get stuck in the reeds when it gets dark!
Loved this Trudy,
Ceil
LikeLike
I’m so glad you can relate, Ceil. The lives of sheep can really teach us some great spiritual lessons. I love your perspective on how we always have to include time in prayer, time to listen. Sometimes even when our schedule isn’t busy, our minds can be so crammed and busy. We need it so much to rest in Jesus and listen to what He has to say, or as you say, we will get stuck in the dark! Praying Jesus will continue to bless you and keep you quiet in His love! Hugs!
LikeLike
Trudy, such a beautiful reminder. When darkness descends I tend to stop calling out to Him, but your reminder that it is our cry of distress that moves Him to come to our rescue is so good. Thank you for this. ❤️
LikeLike
You’re so welcome, Stonescry. I’m blessed that it reminded you that He is always ready to come to our rescue when we cry out to Him. I, too, sometimes tend to stop calling out to Him, especially when the darkness is so thick that it feels like He has forsaken me. But sometimes I just have to cry, “Help me, Jesus!” out of deep anguish in my heart. Your pain is so deep, Stonescry. I ache for you. Praying Jesus will give you ever deeper healing! Hugs!
LikeLike
When drifting off the lighted path, it is only His voice that can bring us back to our Master, the one who makes our paths straight. Thank you for the beautiful images and words!
LikeLike
Hi Lynn. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂 Yes, His voice can and will lead us! He longs for us so much and wants us to listen for His voice. Praying His voice will continue to lead you on the straight path! Hugs!
LikeLike
Hey Dear Trudy, so glad to read this! I actually clicked your link via Holley, before I knew I would post mine right next to you! 😉 Thanks for sharing your heart and the beautiful real life example. I have to keep reminding myself, no matter what, He has a plan and its nothing but Good and Love for Everyone.
Love to you from Holland,
Jasmine
LikeLike
Hi Jasmine. Welcome. Holland is where my grandparents and my husband’s parents were born. 🙂 Yes, God has a plan for good for us. I have to remind myself of that, too. Praying God will be with you and give you strength and peace through whatever you go through! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this reminder to listen for His voice…the one my heart knows. Glad to be your neighbor at #coffeeforyourheart.
LikeLike
Thank you, Tiffany. I’m blessed you were reminded to listen to the Voice your heart knows. May we together listen. Praying Jesus will wrap you in His grace and peace and give you daily guidance! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful, reassuring word, Trudy! I love it all, and these words especially spoke to me:”He hears the weakest cry and can see through the thickest darkness.” So often we feel weak of voice and lost in darkness. What a wonderful comfort to know that we are heard even through our silence and tears! And God’s voice and His Light will guide us safely home again, back to the Father’s heart. Thank you, my friend. You do me good every time I read your God-given words. Blessings and hugs. Xox ❤
LikeLike
I am blessed that you were comforted and reassured, Joy. It’s so amazing that God always sees and hears and knows. And that He is so patient, forgiving, and caring. Yes, His voice filled with longing and love will lead us back home. 🙂 Praying Jesus will carry you when you feel so weak and lost in darkness! Hugs!
LikeLike
Trudy,
Sheep?!! I want to hear more about you raising sheep! How fascinating! Tell us more stories like this one! What a marvelous reminder about us being the sheep and listening for God’s voice, just like the sheep listened to your familiar voice.How much peace this gives me tonight, friend! But please, more stories of your life on a farm — where in the US do you live? xo
LikeLike
I’m so glad you were given much peace, Valerie. I’m from Sioux Falls, SD, but this was in NW Iowa. We did live in town, but when our kids were still at home, we moved to an acreage for a few years. We still miss those times of raising sheep. I still see those little lambs skipping and dancing on a little mound in the yard. It almost looked like they were playing King on the Mountain. 🙂 Both my hubby and I grew up on a farm, so this was a special time for us, and our boys loved it, too. May Jesus hold you and gently guide you on this journey of life! Hugs!
LikeLike
You live in Little Town on the Prairie land? My favorite books ever –I think they were in SD, but I’m sure times have changed since then! I’ve never been there but it would be fun to visit someday! 🙂
LikeLike
Are you talking about The Little House On the Prairie books? Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead museum is in DeSmet, SD, about 100 miles from here. 🙂 Sad to say, but I have never visited the museum there. Yes, they are great books! 🙂
LikeLike
This is so beautiful and encouraging, Trudy! I could actually hear and see Jesus here: “Jesus stretches forth His scarred hands and pleads, ‘Come, come, come…'” Thank you for that. I spend too much time scared and lost in the darkness. I’ll keep this picture in my heart and mind!
I didn’t know you used to have sheep. That is so cool! My son absolutely loves sheep. I don’t know where the obsession came from. He would have been in Heaven at your house back in those days :).
LikeLike
I’m so grateful you were encouraged, Candace. That you could hear and see Jesus stretching His scarred hands to you personally. That’s so awesome! That’s cool that your son loves sheep. 🙂 Praying Jesus will soothe and heal your scared and lost heart and hold you close to His love and grace! Hugs!
LikeLike