Genesis 47:3
And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
Caleb Thomas & Aleksandra Elise Shepherd. My two children who pray every day for "their little sister in China." They know that we are not a family of 4... we are a family of 5. We are a family that has come together by adoption.
Adoption stories are big in our household. I still get the question, "when are you going to tell her that she is adopted?" My answer is a smile as I respond, "she has always known the incredible story of her adoption." She has a story book that Kellie put together. It has pictures of her orphanage, her caregivers, and her doctor. It also has pictures of us coming to the orphanage, and of us all coming together as a family.
Adoption is one of the most beautiful concepts in life. It is simply where longing meets need. Our two children (soon to be three) are the best part of our lives. They are the best of us both, and the most important endeavor we will ever take. It is at the core of who we are... we are also called children, made sons and daughters by the God of all that is.
In our children we have illustrated for us the two miracles of God. Birth & Adoption.
God makes all things new... and then he takes us and calls us His own. When I look into the faces of my childen, I see God's mercy extended to me. I see the promise of God's love and hope reflected in their smiles. I see my true belief here.
And...
...well, I tell them that they are Shepherd's. And I tell them that this is a big responsibility. You see, Shepherd's slew giants, and Shepherd's witnessed angels splitting the sky and announcing the birth of a savior. Shepherd's hold the metaphor of God's love for us. It is a big deal to be a Shepherd. It is, after all... the actual oldest profession in the world.
So I tell them that God expects great things out of them. He sent angels to sing to our ancestors and birthed his own son through our bloodline. I show them (with a big grin) how our name is spelled exactly like the Shepherds in the scripture. It is important to know who you are. We are all adopted children of The God... and that should have an impact on our decision and our actions. Everyday and every moment.
We must know who we are. I have some fun with our name... but there is truth in the message. Much like the story of the 3 Little Pigs & the Big Bad Wolf.
My children and my wife have saved my life. They have shown me what is truly important in this life, and they remind me of what God has done for me.
Of course... there will always be wolves seeking to tear us apart... but I can tell you also that there will always be Shepherds.
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
The first little pig built his house out of straw because it was the easiest thing to do.
The second little pig built his house out of sticks. This was a little bit stronger than a straw house.
The third little pig built his house out of bricks.
One night the big bad wolf, who dearly loved to eat fat little piggies, came along and saw the first little pig in his house of straw. He said "Let me in, Let me in, little pig or I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!"
"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin", said the little pig.
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| The fate of wolves. |
"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He's only in it for the money. The sheep don't matter to him.
Be a Shepherd. ;-) LOL!!!
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