Shepherding and Non-Anxious Presence

Lambing Season 2010 is underway, big-time. Just over a fourth of the ewes have borne their lambs. 100% of the lambs have survived despite the miserably cold weather we've been having. Pastor Sheepherder and the First-Dude Shepherd are tag-teaming on barn duty, since she is knee-deep in parish stuff and he is also helping pick up outdoor corn piles at the co-op.

The real heroines are the ewes (ewe=mother-sheep), particularly those that are lambing for the first time. They're really impressing us with their mothering instincts and quiet temperaments. (What does this mean? It means they take good care of the lambs without being so protective that they knock over the shepherd - or so excited that they accidentally trample their lambs. ) Calm yet attentive, confident and competent, focused on what's truly important, and not easily distracted -- in clear command of the situation, able to respond qucikly if their lambs are threatened. They're a joy to be around and their lambs (an average of two lambs per ewe) are thriving. They make life so easy for the shepherds and for the young sheep.

In the sheperding of humans, we call this "non-anxious presence." Inner calm in the face of difficulty. Connected to people yet detached from the swirl of their emotions and anxieties. Bearers of hope and serenity in the middle of chaos. Those of non-anxious presence lower the anxiety of others, bring hope into hopelessness, and create emotional climate change that allows for all to thrive -- or at least move in directions that are healthy.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will cultivate in me that non-anxious presence, in order that the sheep of Christ's flock that I tend may thrive and move in healthy directions according to God's good will and purpose for them. Being a non-anxious presence doesn't always come easily or naturally -- at least not for me. It takes practice and attention to what's important. But, even more, it takes reliance on the Good Shepherd -- the shepherd must be willing to be shepherded herself.

Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Shepherd me, O Christ, that I may shepherd your people.
Shepherd me, Holy Spirit, that I may rest in You.