THE SHEPHERD

by Kathie Williamson
(HARTWELL, GA)

I went to church last Sunday wanting just to hear
a quiet and soothing sermon, a tickling upon my ear
But much to my discomfort and much to my surprise
my pastor started yelling and there was terror in his eyes

He seemed to look right at me, his arms flailing everywhere
as though I were in danger and didn't have a prayer
I felt a bit uncomfortable, I'm sure that you would too
and vowed that his behavior simply would not do!

And so I left church thinking, "How dare he!"
"To raise his voice so loudly while looking straight at me"
All day long it bothered me as his voice rang in my ears
and something in his manner caused my heart to fear

As I went to sleep that night I whispered God this prayer
that he might give me peaceful sleep and dwell with me while there
But instead I began to dream all throughout the night
tossing and turning upon my bed until the morning light

I dreamed I saw a shepherd watching o'er his sheep
standing high upon a hill tending to their keep
The sheep were grazing peacefully, one of which was me
All was calm and peaceful as far as I could see

When suddenly the shepherd came flying down the hill
with arms flailing everywhere, his voice a high pitched shrill
It startled me so that I began to run in fear
though I was unaware of any danger to me there

And as I was running I turned my head to see
why my shepherd was yelling and flailing his arms at me
Then at once I saw it and awoke in a sweat of chills
A hungry wolf was stalking and I its' prey to kill

Then I began to realize and at last to see
why my pastor was yelling and flailing his arms at me
And then the Lord spoke to me while lying there in bed
With gentle words of wisdom, this is what he said,

"Now which would you prefer my child
when the wolf is by your side
A shepherd who is calm and quiet
or opens his mouth wide?"

Jeremiah 3:l5 - And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Hebrews l3:l7 - Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.