Your Heart Will Break with Joy and You Will Never Leave My Side

"Why oh why, rebellious sheep, do you turn away from me? Why are you dismayed? You see me moving among the ewes and lambs. Among your siblings you see me walking, giving them pastures, watching for predators, healing their wounds and saving them. But you don't notice my hand tenderly petting your head. You don't see my delight in you. You have grown and your eyes are bright. Your belly is full because of my gentle care.

"Listen to your brothers and give heed to the voice of your sisters. They see my hand on your head and detect my pride. They remember my delight when I chose you from the wicked sheep herder who cared not for his flock. They remember your small frame. Let them recount my labor as I nursed you to health. Hear their tales of my rod, deftly flung and striking the wolf who was poised to pounce on you. Oh weak, struggling creature! Always a prey for the claws of the bear and teeth of the lion.

"Hear their words and see my love. Whom do you suppose poured oil on your head to save you from the flies? Do you believe your own senses led you to clean brooks for drink? When you became fat and were helplessly cast on your back, your hind legs scraping the air and finding no tread, who picked you up? And, when the others passed under my rod while I carefully counted and I found you missing, who searched frantically for you; my brow creased in anguish until I saw you in the distance. Straying further and eating all the more you were oblivious to the danger. Whom do you suppose picked you up and returned you to the fold?

"One day, maybe soon, you will hear of me from the others. One day you will suddenly feel my hand caressing your mane. 'What is that sensation?' you will wonder. Then you will look up, your eyes will meet mine. You will know that I have loved you with an everlasting love. Your heart will break with joy and you will never leave my side."