Morning Coffee Thoughts

Farm yard close The black and white Sheep , Charlie , sniffed the air and said I think he's coming. Judy who had the whitest coat of all the sheep in the stable said,"you better be right this time, I have missed him so much". Sure enough from down the road came the shepherd, he was enjoying the morning sunshine on his face and talking to his Heavenly Father who he loved so much. Charlie noticed that Rocky the Ram had spotted the Shepherd, but turned and walked back inside the stable to the darkest corner w here he stuck his head under a bunch of straw and cried quietly. Charlie looked at Rocky and then at the Shepherd, who now was sitting on a large rock way down by chicken shed. Why isn't he coming? Asked Judy, I don't know, maybe he's forgot how much we look forward to seeing him? Charlie replied. He doesn't forget anything he loves us all the time. Judy said forcefully. Well there he is over there and we are right here, why doesn't he come over? George the grey haired old goat wandered over, he was the smartest animal in the farm yard. Hey George , Judy said what's up with the shepherd, how come he doesn't come over here where we are? Old George the goat smiled affectionately at the shepherd sitting on the rock so far away and said, in his old goat voice said, you want him here? All you have to do is Close both eyes and see him with the other eye. What? Said Charlie you're crazy, if I close both eyes how can I see him? Old George just smiled and said I can, think about it. And he walked over to a sunny spot and laid down contentedly. He's crazy, Charlie said to Lucy. But Lucy was deep in thought, I don't know, he is the smartest animal on the farm, I just can't figure out how by closing my eyes I can get our shepherd over here to where we are. Charlie's attention went back to where Rocky was still crying under the straw. Judy what's wrong with Rocky? Oh I don't know he is always so moody gloomy. I just wish the shepherd would get here, he always tells me every morning that he loves me. Judy said. Mable the white face cow overhears what was just said and joins in, Can't he love you from over there on the rock? Doesn't he still love you even when he is away from you? He is not only over there on the rock, he is also right here... for right now we know we are loved and being loved. Judy thought about this and had to agree that yes she did know the shepherd loved her and was always loving her. Was this what the old goat meant in seeing with an eye when both eyes were closed? Charlie couldn't stand it any longer he went into the stable over to where Rocky the ram had his head under a bunch of straw. Rocky he said gently, are you OK? Leave me alone, nobody cares about me. What's wrong I care about you, said Charlie. I'm a ram the only ram on the farm nobody likes me because I am always rammimg into everyone and they get mad when I do it. Why don't you stop ramming into us asked charlie? I don't know I'm just not good in that area of my life yet. A lot of times I want to be and then a lot of times I don't want to be. And because of it nobody likes me. Charlie looks down the long driveway where the shepherd is still sitting on the rock, he can see him yawning and stretching just enjoying the moment in the morning sunshine. Why doesn't he come and take care of Rocky, He is so good at caring and loving. Looking at Rocky again Charlie says, ROCKY look at me I care about you and yes you do ram us a lot but you are a part of us, we are all a part of being the farm animal family. Really? Says Rocky Yes Really now come on lets go out and wait together for the shepherd. Right then the old goat walks by and says the shepherd is already here! Charlie rolls his eyes and says to Rocky that old goat gets crazier all the time, certainly he can see the shepherd is still way down the road sitting on the rock. The two of them join up with Mable the cow, Judy the sheep and the old goat waiting for the shepherd. There he is, why doesn't he come Judy says, I love him so much I wish I could do something for him. Old George the goat says, Charlie could show you how. What! Said Judy what has Charlie ever done for the shepherd? Ask Rocky and the old goat said and walked away. I tell you they don't call him crazy goat for nothing. So Charlie what have you done for the shepherd? Nothing, how could I he is way down there and I am right here. Mable the cow thought for a long time while looking at the shepherd way down the road. Let me get this straight she said, he's down there, were up here, but he still loves us and is loving us right now. So isn't he here even though he's there? YOU are going old goat crazy in the head. Said Charlie Am I? are you not loved and being loved right now Charlie? Yeah I suppose I am, well I know I am. Then it makes sense that the shepherd is with us right here. I suppose so but it is a little different. Being both and all. But it is still true! Mable replied. Isn't it interesting how many things happen to you before something occurs to you....... Said the old goat as he walked up to the animals at the fence, it reminds me of Tango the city dog that came to visit us on the farm and as soon as he got here he bolted out of the car and ran away. Then the shepherd sent old Toby the sheep dog who was snoring on the front porch to go get him. Lazily Toby got up and wandered off and found Tango 3 miles away all pooped out. Remember what Toby asked Tango the city dog? Yes said Mable the cow, He asked what in tarnations are you doing or running to Tango? And Tango said I don't know, I always run when the door is open to get outside. That's right old George said, And then what did Toby the sheep dog say to Tango the city dog? You don't have to run and get what you already have. Here you have all of the outside all the time so come let's go back I have a nap back on the porch I need to finish. So what's your point old George, asked Charlie? You need to figure out if you are Toby dog or a Tango dog. old George the goat said as he chewed on an old boot he found in the barn. Just then the stable mouse , Mushy runs along the fence railing is he here yet he asks? Yes and no Mable replies Mushy screws up his mouse nose and tries to make sense of Mable says. Don't even bother , says Judy. Mushy notices Rocky and says, Rocky, Rocky, Rocky, you are the most wonderful ram I have ever met, you never ram me over. You are as kind to me as the shepherd is. The way I look at you is that your kindness is love and we all know that all love comes from the shepherd. So when you love me he is loving me. Rocky the ram eyes begin to tear up. You mean I get to be a part of the shepherd and all he is when I love others? Yep he is in you and you are smack dab in him. So that is what the old goat meant when he said of Charlie that the shepherd was here when Charlie showed me kindness. You got that right.said Mushy Even right now look how much we are enjoying loving the shepherd even though he is down there on that rock at the same time he is right here in our hearts and we get to love him and be loved. The shepherd got up, stretched and walked up to the animals in the farm yard. He said you already know don't you? The animals looked at each other and they did know. Tell me then,said the shepherd Judy the sheep said, All the time we know we belong to you Rocky the ram said . All the time we know you care what is happening to us. Mushy the mouse said, All the time we are never a part from you even though we can't see you. And most of all, the shepherd asks , WE ARE LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! Said all the animals together OH YES YOU ARE , AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL ALWAYS BE. COME HERE, AND HE HUGGED THEM ALL AND WINKED AT THE OLD GOAT WHO WAS SMILING chewing on an old boot in sunnyest spot in the farmyard.