Shepherd on the way to Hampta Pass by Raja Selvaraj (Sheperd) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
When I want to run – hold me.
When I want to turn away – turn me around.
When I want to hide – race me to my hiding place and win.
When I want to hurt others – deflect my aim.
When I want to hurt myself – love me.
When I cry – grab me quickly
and rock me safely
in your strong arms.
Ruth Burgess, British author of the Iona Community
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For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.
As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them,
so will I look after my sheep.
I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered
on a day of clouds and darkness.
prayer & verse 
