How to Be a Shepherd
- Brooke Singleton
- Jul 3, 2024
- 2 min read
“We humans, we look for magic bullets and fast tracks. But our Father is a God of faithful walks, not stellar sprints.”
“Shepherd God's flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:2-4
I started this morning, as I do many mornings, asking God in earnest, “How can I encourage these kids of mine to love You?”
Before I paint an unrealistic picture, let me tell you that prayer comes with mornings that look very different. Sometimes a peaceful breakfast, sometimes after squelching, continual bickering, sometimes after debating again with one child or another why we read the Bible every day. But no matter the morning, my heart is the same.
“How can I teach them not just to heed Christian boundaries or check the proverbial boxes, but how…HOW do I help them love You deeply, to seek Your face, to WANT to honor You, even as kids?” And this morning, His answer came as soon as I opened the Word to 1 Peter 5.
“Shepherd like Me today, Brooke. Weave My love for them throughout how you lead, guide and care for their practical needs, don’t just do things because you should. Eagerly look for ways to put My beauty and character in front of them. Don’t just micromanage the day, but live as I’ve called you too (the rest of 1 Peter spells this out), humbly, gently, sacrificially, without grumbling and with thanksgiving…AND I WILL WORK IN THEIR HEARTS.”
We humans, we look for magic bullets and fast tracks. But our Father is a God of faithful walks, not stellar sprints. Momma, this day, love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your strength and all your mind, and God's ways will authentically bubble over on to your kids and His beauty will leave its mark. God is for your babies. Never forget that. It’s never too late to refocus. It’s never too late to restart your heart and go His direction. This day, soak in God's love for you, and love those babies out of that same love.
And momma, God will do the rest.
Action step:
Search the Word for characters of God. Write them down and work on marinating in one of those attributes each week. Ask God to produce that fruit in you and that your kids would see His beauty unfold.
Prayer: Faithful Father, we pray that You help us to steep in the beauty of Your love, Your character and Your word, so that Your Spirit would fully bubble over on to our children’s hearts and memories. May we be steeped in who You are and would You enable us to walk in Your ways, Shepherd, and trust YOU are doing the heart work in our children. We ask it in the faithful name of Jesus, Christ.
Written by Brooke, shepherd of 3