The Lord is my Shepherd

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD was sunday sermon. ps started with emphasising that the first verse is akin to a gate that opens up to the whole passage.. only if you believe and take the Lord as your shepherd, you cannot stake claim to all the promises that follows e.g you cannot claim to a green and quiet pastures if you choose another as your shepherd. ps goes on to say that the rod and staff of the shepherd comforts the sheep..the rod to protect against evil forboding foes and the staff the gently guide his sheeps ..he never uses the rod on the sheep..ever! so the shepherd shows love to his flock by guiding, providing and protecting....all that we know, right..i mean, we went to sunday school, sing songs about the good shepherd.yadda..yadda..yadda... then ps makes this profound statement that will forever change my view of the shepherd...he said the sheep only get taps from the shepherd when the sheep is going astray...no tap means the sheep's on the right path but..tap..or tap tap...or TAP TAP TAP..means sheep in trouble...time to change course! huh? some people live their lives always looking out for God's approval and waiting in tow until a lightning bolt moment from the Almighty. meanwhile they live a passive life fearing an almost certain dissapproval from God. but as the shepherd is to the sheep, he wants his sheep to explore, enjoy and cherish the plains and fields he's led them to. ..while he quietly watches out for them . for as long as the sheep remains close to hear the shepherd's voice and within reach of his staff, they will be safe from the dangers that lurk! so what does all this mean to me? 2 things actually. one, live life as if the light is green at all times, that is until a red light halts u. remain close enough to the shepherd to be able to hear his voice or to feel his taps, while living life with all the blessings that comes with it!....two, reminder to how i am to be with my kids...they shouldn/t have to be bubble-wrapped or smothered to not do this or not do that..but be allowed the graces to be kids and enjoy just being kids, yet close enough for you to tap them when they forget where the danger zones lies... if it feels good, looks good, go for it, do whatever you want, follow your heart and desires - a dangerous statement to make? not if you get THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD part right!