For 30+ years this shepherd’s crook has been hanging on our coat pegs. It belonged to a Kurdish shepherd who found himself on the mountains of Turkey when the Iraqi Kurds fled from Saddam Hussein’s murderous regime in 1991. This grateful old man gave it to a culturally insensitive aid worker when he admired it. Later it was abandoned and Julyan brought it home to be treasured by us – such a precious, costly gift from someone who had nothing.
Over the years our authentic shepherd’s crook has been Aaron’s Rod, Moses’ staff and has appeared in a few nativity scenes. Now it’s become an indispensable aid to me.
Cast down
This recent right knee replacement surgery has been a success, I’m sure, but recovery is much harder than my left one was 3 months ago. It’s easy to feel ‘cast down’ when progress is slow and pain is nagging. My leg is heavy and painful to move on and off the bed or even to elevate on a cushion. That’s when the crook is so helpful. I hook it under my foot and lift.
Each time I use it I’m reminded of Jesus, the Good Shepherd whose staff comforts me and guides my feet in his way. I feel a bit like a ‘cast’ sheep lying on its back unable to help itself up and in need of rescue by the shepherd and his crook. I wonder if David was thinking of this when he wrote,
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:5).
Cast me not away from your presence!
Having a tough time with this knee is a humbling experience. I had so much grace with my previous recovery, it was tempting to think my amazing progress was due to the diligence I put into the exercise programme. This time I won’t be getting gold stars from the physio – it’s all much too hard!
I’m so grateful that the Good Shepherd knows me by name and will never let me go. As I struggle he uses his crook to draw me even closer to himself. I realise he’s gifting me this time to rest as he restores my soul and the joy of his salvation (Psalm 51:12).
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