Preparing the Sheep’s Summer Range
Before moving the flock to their summer range up in green mountain meadows, the shepherd makes several trips by himself to prepare a safe place for his sheep.
Raising sheep successfully is labor intensive. Just as a new mom or dad will try to child-proof their home, the shepherd assumes his woolly charges will always get into dangerous or possibly life-threatening mischief unless he acts first.
Before the Sheep Arrive
- The shepherd clears away branches, leaves and other winter debris clogging the streams.
- Weeds out all the poisonous plants that the lambs, ewes and rams might nibble on.
- Maps how to rotate the flock to different mountain pastures to prevent overgrazing.
- Plans the route he and his sheep will travel to reach the mountains before summer.
- Sheep move along by easy stages, grazing along the way.
- The valleys offer gentle slopes upward into the mountains.
- The valleys also contain many sources of water for the multi-day journey.
A Perfect Summer in the Mountains
Once the flock has arrived, the sheep begin enjoying the cooler mountain air. Every ram, ewe and lamb eats all the tasty green grass he or she wishes, then retires to rest in the shade. Occasionally, one will wander over to the nearby stream and take a cool, refreshing drink. The shepherd stays with his flock the whole time, constantly protecting and caring for his four-legged charges.
If sheep saw life the way we do, the flock’s main thought would be,
Let’s stay here forever—this place is great!”
The Shepherd’s Whim
Suddenly, for no reason the sheep can discover, the shepherd gathers his flock and starts leading them back down the mountain, away from the tasty grass and cool mountain air.
The sheep don’t see why they must leave. It’s perfect here in the mountains.
But the shepherd has kept up with the weather reports. He’s watched the signs. Harsh winter storms are coming. Soon the juicy, green meadow grass will wither, becoming brown and spiky. Freezing sleet, nighttime frosts, deep snow and dropping temperatures will turn the sheep’s summer paradise into a frozen hell.
Protecting the Flock
He has to get his woolly charges home before bad weather hits. If the flock gets caught in a freezing rain just before nightfall, the cold temperatures could kill several sheep, especially the young lambs.
Depending on the urgency, the shepherd might even lead his flock down the mountain on a dry, rocky trail with no water or grass.
If the sheep had human souls, they might start grumbling. Maybe even get mad and abandon their shepherd. After all, he’s leading them to places where they don’t want to go.
Fortunately, they’re just “dumb sheep.” When life doesn’t make sense, the ewes, rams and lambs still trust in the shepherd’s goodness and greater knowledge.
Maybe, sheep aren’t so dumb after all.
Human Sheep in Times of Turmoil
Presently traveling on one of life’s dark or dangerous paths? That’s not the time to leave the Good Shepherd’s side.
Instead, draw closer to Him.
The Shepherd always knows how to bring you out of the darkness and back into the light.
He’ll bring you safely home.
All images come from Pixabay.com.
Resources:
The mountain in the second image is Monte Pelmo in Italy and yes, sheep do graze there.
The icy river is actually a glacier. I felt this image had the right feeling of barrenness and desolation.
