Jesus is Going with Me to Cabo!
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1, KJV
In October, shortly before Halloween, I had the chance to teach preschoolers, aged 3- and 4-year-olds, about the Good Shepherd. I brought a small sheep figure made by my mother from real sheep’s wool, with felt floppy ears and a black face and legs made from pipe cleaners. The children loved him.
We talked about how a good shepherd knows what his sheep need to eat and drink, where to find them and that he guides them there. A good shepherd knows when his sheep need to rest and where the safe places are. A good shepherd guides his sheep away from dangerous places. And a good shepherd will protect his sheep from hungry beasts like bears or lions!
We talked about how sheep know their shepherd and trust him, but they are also curious and like to explore and sometimes, they will lose their way when exploring. They might go where it is unsafe or get stuck … maybe even find themselves in a dark, scary or lonely place.
Their good shepherd will notice when sheep are missing and not give up searching until he finds them. He is happy when he finds them and the sheep are glad when they are found. The good shepherd carries his sheep safely home where they have what they need.
When I described the little sheep getting stuck on top of the mountain, the preschoolers’ small faces showed a mix of surprise and concern, followed by delight and relief when the shepherd finds the sheep and brings them home.
When I share that Jesus stated that He is the Good Shepherd and we are His little sheep, their reactions are mixed — some are surprised, some feel happy and some just peacefully go, “Yes, I knew that.”
When I finished the story, I asked, “So, if Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep and He goes with us wherever we go … I wonder, where are you going to go that Jesus will go with you?”
“… to the park.”
“… to the movies.”
“... on an airplane.” (I said I’d love a drawing of that one!)
“... to Colorado.”
“… to Cabo.”
“… with my mom and dad.”
“… when I’m sad.”
“… in a thunderstorm.”
“... when I’m happy.”
“... to go trick or treating.” (Yes!)
And perhaps my favorite “... to go to heaven.”
Friends, I invite you to join me in choosing to have this kind of childlike faith. Where are you going that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, will be with you today?
