Sitting in my prayer window this morning, I suddenly
realised there was a cow on her own in the harvested barley field. As yet
unperturbed by separation from her calf and the other mums across the road, she
grazed happily along the verge of the field. A few of her friends bellowed, but
she ignored them.
As I got up to call the farmer, he arrived, on his own. I
saw him park the tractor in a strategic place, but still. Somehow he had to
entice or usher the stray out of the wrong field and through the open gate of
the right field, without losing the rest of the herd. I quickly put on shoes
and jacket so I could give him a hand, but by the time I was ready, the cow was
back where she belonged.
Over the years, we have participated in many a round-up,
doing our best to help farmers with their errant herds. We have discovered our
own ineptness. It takes skill and experience to move a herd, or even a single
cow.
Jesus told stories of lost sheep rather than roaming cows,
but the symbolism is the same. It is comforting to know that he is that
skilled, experienced, loving ‘farmer’ who can seek out the one who has wandered
off, without losing any of the rest of the herd.
I am the good shepherd, he declared. Today I’m praying for
those I know who have strayed. He doesn’t need my help to restore them, but he graciously
responds to our prayers.
