Devotion - Tuesday, November 22

Laura and I were guests last evening at Clemson's 1st Annual Rainbow Thanksgiving Dinner.  We sat at table with a young woman who impressed both of us.  Over dinner, she spoke of how different she was now from when she came to college.  Others at the table asked how that change would be received by her family when she joined them for Thanksgiving.

This allowed Laura and I to reflect on how difficult it was when our children returned home for holidays, revealing to us all they had learned while away from us.  This caused Laura and I to speak of the hope that as parents we had been open and excited to the emerging individuality of our children - even though it meant they would think for themselves and follow paths of their own choosing.  This is difficult for parents to do.

This morning I was reading from Zechariah 11.  The prophet speaks of shepherds.  He is speaks of the shepherds whose oversight had not resulted in the hope God had.  Zechariah is the last of the books in the Christian order of books in the Bible because Zechariah also speaks of a future shepherd who will do the will of God.  This Good Shepherd will lead the sheep to the pastures God has prepared for them.

Whether we realize it or not, we are all being influenced by "shepherds."  We make choices - and need to make them with eyes and hearts wide open - but the options set before us are revealed by the persons or thoughts we have found ourselves following.  

As we look to ourselves, it is also appropriate to consider our shepherds.  To evaluate them and to decide anew each day if they are leading us to the places we want to go.  

And, if you are fortunate enough to be with family over this Thanksgiving Break, talk with them about the ways you have grown and changed and matured.  Acknowledge that this can be tough for them, and assure them that the new ideas and thoughts you are developing are grounded in shepherds whom they too can come to trust.