The Good Shepherd....

Have you ever felt that no one loves you? Have you felt that even god fails to love you? But, I say you, that no one loves you as god does...

     Here I have a small story for you...a small one, but has a big lesson to be known.

     Once there lived a shepherd. He had hundred sheep. Everyday he used to take his flock for grazing to a mountain valley. Sometimes he let them graze on their own wish. They go in group and finally, at the end of the day, they returned to him without any delay.  When the dawn came, he took them to the stable and closed its gate. Then he remained outside till the sun arises the next day. Though he slept in the nights, he was always vigilant at his mind. Even the howling of the foxes and jackals woke him up and assure the flock's safety again and again.

     One day as usual, he took the flock for grazing. He remained at the usual place and let the flock move for grazing. When the day was about to end up, the flock returned. But the shepherd was very much shocked to find that one of his hundred sheep was missing. He called out for the lost one. He wandered here and there to find it. But at the same time, he had to keep his eye on the left flock also, so that nothing harmed it, while going in search of the lost one. He found himself annoyed very much to return without finding his one lost sheep.

     After searching for a long time, he could hear a feeble crying sound of the sheep. He moved towards the sound. He could know that it was in some kind of danger. He made his steps faster. At last he reached the top of the mountain. The cry of the sheep was nearer, and it made him more and more eager to reach the crying, lost one. When he reached the top edge, he found that the sheep was at the edge of the chasm. One careless step of it might make it die at the deep mountain crack. It was frightened and was crying in fear of dying. It didn’t know how to get back.

     On finding the master walking towards it, it wanted to express the fear, at the same time, its gratitude towards him. It was sure that its master would never let it down. It knew that he would then save it from the fear and the danger. He extended his hands towards the sheep. The warmth of the master's care gave the sheep a new hope, a new life. The sheep was saved from the death

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      The shepherd raised the sheep with his own hands, held it close to him...and said, "Though I have ninety nine other sheep, only you can make it a hundred. You are also the one for whom I have spent my life and time. So I will not forget you."

 

      The shepherd can never forget his cattle. He lives with them. He is ready to spare his life and time for his sheep. If we are been compared to the cattle, god, the almighty is our master. Be sure, he will not forget you ever. When your friends betray you, he accompanies you. When your relations harm you, he saves you. When you are denied manly love, you deserve divine love. Never are you forgotten. Father can never forget his children. You may sometimes have to suffer a lot of pain. Sometimes you may feel alone. Sometimes you may hate yourself. but remember, even then there is an unending, incomparable, unconditional love behind you...,the purest love...the divine love... the love that cares for you, the love that pains for you, the love that sees you and follows you. Realize that divine love. It will never ask you anything in return, other than to be its dearest son or daughter.

      Give all your pains to that lord; he will bear them for you. Leave all your burdens; he will carry them for you. Only he can save you from all your pains. Only he knows you in the right way you are to be known. Only he can wipe off your tears. Only he can give you the eternal life. Believe in him. He will never leave you in vain. He says to you "fear never, I will not forget you. I have carved you on my palms"... Trust him...he is there for you...always...