The shepherd theme wasn’t satisfied with the “Fear Not” quilt for my friend. What image captures the “Good Shepherd” for me? I couldn’t get this old hymn out of my head:

The king of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul he leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed, and yet in love he sought me, and on his shoulders gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill, with thee, dear Lord, beside me. Thy rod and staff my comfort still, the cross before to guide me.

Thou spreadst a table in my sight; thy unction grace bestoweth; and oh, what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days, thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house forever.

With that, I launched into round 2--especially thinking about the abundant daily provision of every need and those strong hands that get perverse sheep (namely, moi) back into the fold.

My Good Shepherd is kind of a denim cowboy--not to be irreverent, but he does need to get his hands dirty (for which I am very grateful).