My Shepherd

Painting by Jo White

The Lord is my shepherd. When I wander away to an unsafe place, he misses me and comes to find me. At first, I thought I was holding his hand, but as he carried me down from the dangerous rocks, I realized he was holding mine.

He hears the noise in my stomach as we travel, and he stops so I might eat and drink for a bit. He brings the part of me that matters back alive, and we then travel back toward the valley and home.

It’s getting dark now. I hear the howl of wolves. The racing beat of my heart against his neck causes him to whisper, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you.” Although he whispers, every word is crystal clear as my ear is close to his mouth.

I see the other sheep of his family. When we join them, he provides food and drink. He then cleans and anoints me, treating me like I’m his most loved. This is where I belong, close to the shepherd. I will stay with him forever.

56 responses to “My Shepherd”

  1. Lovely reflections and lovely painting by Jo. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Nancy. I’ll tell Jo you liked her painting.

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  2. Beautiful post and painting!

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  3. Another excellent Jo White painting, Don, and what joy comes from the peace of our Shepherd!

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    1. Thank you, Grant. I read your comment to Jo.

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  4. Such a sweet modern take on the beloved Psalm, Don.

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    1. Thank you, Mitch. I hope the project you were working on turned out well.

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      1. It has indeed. Thanks, Don!

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  5. This is where I belong as well. Beautiful!

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  6. Beautiful!!!  Praise God for His abundant love and mercy!!!!!

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  7. What a great adaptation of Psalm 23. Much love!

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  8. What a great adaptation of Psalm 23. Much love!

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  9. I can’t seem to like this on Word Press. But, I want ed to let you know I enjoy your posts.

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    1. Thank you so much, Grace.

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  10. So beautiful, Don. For a birthday a couple years ago, my sister in law gave me a little book on Psalm 23. It shared the healing available for people who were suffering, when the psalm was reflected on, memorized and referred to meditatively daily upon waking, at mealtimes and before bed. Since then, when I wake at night and in the morning, I pray it. It never fails to bring amazing realization of Jesus presence and peace. Thank you for this post that does the same.
    Deb

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    1. Thank you, Deb. You encourage me. I’m at the beginning of one of those times of going into the valley, and this Psalm has been on my mind.

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      1. Honestly, Don….Hmmm. These words: ”Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me. Your rod keeps evil away, that staff of Yours? It catches me before I fall…”
        There’s supernatural power in those words, to carry us through the worst, the sleepless nights, the worst days. How did David make it through? God knew his heart, and protected him, just like He knows yours, protects and loves you.
        You are writing inspired prose to encourage others, like David. You can’t do that without knowing the valley really well, Darn it all.
        But He will not fail you. And the thing is…? You know we only become more like our Beloved Jesus, when we’re in the valley, so to speak. You know? ❤️❤️❤️ Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of your life…you know the rest. You’re a blessing. 🙏🙏🙏

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  11. Oops. Typos. Sorry. 🥴

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    1. Typos are not a problem. Trying to make sense of what is going on is the tricky part. I have PTSD caused by being locked in a room with a serial killer for three days when I was 20 years old. It was never a problem until 13 years ago. I was holding a Bible study in our home, and not realizing it, someone brought a serial killer to the meeting for us to minister to. I don’t know how, but I recognized what he was, and I suddenly felt the same way I did when I was 20 years old, locked in that room. I made it through the meeting, but the following day, I quit the ministry, stopped even attending church, and didn’t leave our home or invite someone in unless it was absolutely necessary. I continued like that for a year and a half before the Lord stepped in to give me my life back. For the first time in 13 years, the Lord is asking us to start home meetings again. Knowing my fear is irrational doesn’t make it go away. But not following the Lord is not an option. Logically, I’m safe, but I don’t feel that way. I’m holding onto that, “fear no evil for I am with you.” Several people are coming to the meeting who have much bigger problems than I have. The Lord wants me to do the job he called me to. Just like everyone else, the Lord brings us to a place we believe we are not ready for. That’s why, in the blog, I changed the words to, “Don’t be afraid, I’ve got you.” Thank you for your encouragement Deb.

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      1. “I don’t know how, but I recognized what he was…”

        Don, this line stood out to me in your incredible testimony. The fact that you did. That, and the “13 years”. It makes me think of a baker’s dozen… and bread.
        Now, I don’t know, is it a coincidence that we studied the feeding of the 5000 this past week in our Bible study? My dad didn’t believe in coincidences. I was looking through my notes which are in three places to find this from our teacher: “When you feel inadequate, (which is my life story) or someone you care about does, we tend to try to build each other up. When in truth, we are inadequate and embrace it. Jesus shows us in the story that he is more than adequate. Poor Philip was put on the spot and to the test in John’s gospel. I didn’t realize it was the only miracle told in all four gospels. That’s significant. I was reading through them this morning and am interested in the details that are different. We studied John’s where it says Jesus distributed the bread and fish himself (which fascinated me) and John doesn’t mention that he broke the bread after giving thanks, which I noticed. To me, it’s so significant. Maybe John is showing us that giving thanks is what’s more significant? He knows we’re already broken. I don’t know. It’s so fascinating to sit here with the Bible in my lap pondering all this, thinking about your “baker’s dozen” and praying for this new ministry God has been preparing you for, and oh, so gently, waiting, healing, and loving you. And giving you this “just one more” than the 12 years, which is such a significant number in the story, and in the Bible. And now in your ministry, too.
        Jesus is creator, as an artist, I love thinking of him that way, he is always revealing himself in new ways to me. As creator, he satisfied that crowd with fish bones and crumbs. That’s creative! Then just think what happened with the 12 baskets of leftovers. He probably fed 20,000 more in the surrounding villages. He sees our own needs, our heart hungers, and that of everyone around us. And can take care of it when we open our oh, so empty hands to him. So I guess what I keep relearning, is to thank him for my inadequacy, worship in all my work, and then praise. My late friend Pastor Stuart Briscoe used to say: Christ in you is adequate so get on with it.
        Man, it’s just such a challenge each time because he always asks us to do what we might not want to do or seems impossible. (I said no three times to the Bible study I was asked to teach this past summer. It was my first!) Will I ever trust his healing, his compassion and mercy, his love, protection and provision? Thank God for grace, and for people like you who remind me to.
        So, I guess I just wanted to say thanks, Don. (I feel like Bruce Cooper here…he’s the only one who has ever written such long comments to me. I treasure them all!) Thanks for sharing your powerful yet gentle faith, humility, and this space with me.

        “I don’t know how, but I recognized what he was…” In this case, a true disciple.

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      2. Wow! That might be longer than Bruce’s! 😅❤️🙏

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      3. I guess the real test is: was it longer than the blog?

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      4. Yes. Maybe best to delete it! I’m sorry.🥴

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      5. No, I love it. You have given me things to consider that I hadn’t thought of. I’m one of those people who know coincidences happen, but they’re always suspicious. Sometimes they are God’s fingerprints.

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      6. And you gave me things to think about too, clearly. 😁❤️

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  12. What a personal, profound rendition of Psalm 23. Jo’s painting is the perfect addition! I love that Jesus is smiling. Thank you both for your inspiration and comfort this morning.

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen.

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  13. […] Bonus Reading – Check out Don White’s heartwarming reflection titled My Shepherd. […]

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  14. Willie Torres Jr. Avatar
    Willie Torres Jr.

    Amen 🙌 Wonderful message and reminder of Gods love and protection. I truly felt the peace in your words, and I absolutely love the painting you did, it captures the heart of the Shepherd’s care perfectly.

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    1. Thank you, Willie. I’ll tell my wife that you liked her painting.

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      1. Willie Torres Jr. Avatar
        Willie Torres Jr.

        It is truly Beautiful…

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  15. Beautiful, Don, the story and Jo’s painting!

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    1. Thank you so much, Peggy. I will let Jo know about your comment.

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      1. The two of you make an awesome team!

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      2. Thank you, Peggy. We have been working as a team for 58 years.

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      3. Congratulations and blessings to you both!

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  16. “At first, I thought I was holding his hand, but as he carried me down from the dangerous rocks, I realized he was holding mine.”

    Ain’s that always the truth! Comforting insights, Don, and another beautiful painting, Jo!

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    1. Thank you, Ericka. I will tell Jo you liked her painting.

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  17. I love this, Don. Psalm 23 is my life verse and as someone who raises sheep, very close to my heart. May the Lord bless and keep you and yours. Please let your talented wife know I love her painting.

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    1. Thank you, Hope. It has always held a special place in my heart. Psalm 22 speaks of the crucifixion, and Psalm 24 speaks of the life to come. Psalm 23 speaks of our walk in this life.

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  18. Thank you for sharing☺️

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    1. Thank you for reading.

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  19. Great reminder, Don 😎🙏

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  20. I don’t know how I missed this post earlier, but it is moving, and the picture is wonderful!

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    1. Thank you, Belinda, and I’ll tell my wife that you liked her painting.

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