The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

You know that story about the ducklings, the one where Mama Duck shepherds them safely into the water, all the while being kind and patient? Well, I have a confession: Sometimes I don't feel like a good Mama Duck. Sometimes I feel like the Mama Duck who snaps at her ducklings to hurry up, to quit dawdling and whining and would you please just tie your own shoes because we're late?

The Lord is my shepherd; here on earth, I am my children's. It is my calling not just to be patient and kind with them, but to teach them patience and kindness. Yet sometimes – often – I forget.

After one such moment of snappishness, MM snuck up behind me and placed her skinny arms around my waist and said, “Mommy, I love you, even when you're being a bad mommy.” Such simple forgiveness. I had not even asked for it; I was still too busy fuming. She saw the need for forgiveness, she saw what I needed and opened her little heart to me. She taught me, in that moment, the art of pure forgiveness.

The Lord is my shepherd, yes.

And sometimes, my children are my shepherd, too.