Introducing "Boss Sheep" (Chapter 2)

My story is one that I still am amazed at.
I'm amazed I endured through so much -
amazed at the actions of the sheep in my former flock (my actions included!) -
amazed at the timing of my removal from the flock -
amazed at lengths sheep went to to please another -
and amazed at the power of one little bleat (once it is heard)

I remember clearly the day "Boss Sheep" entered into our flock.  Well, to be honest, I don't.  I now see that Boss Sheep wasn't actually the boss at the beginning.  There were other sheep who led before.  I would notice Boss Sheep laying in the grass watching the others.

The former lead sheep were getting along in years.  The oldest - and, incidentally, the loudest, Barry, one day just went missing.  We all thought it was strange - he never veered from his daily routine.  It wasn't long before murmurs of how he had to have known his time was coming to an end, and wondered off so not to upset the other sheep began to rise.  Boss Sheep told us that he happened to see Barry the night before ... wondering into the thick surrounding forest while we all slept.  He spoke with such emotion - even a depth of regret.  My heart melted, Boss Sheep was so compassionate!  He was obviously sad that he hadn't stopped Barry or said anything at the time!!

It was then I began to spend more time with Boss Sheep.  He was funny and strong.  Usually, he laid low in the grass, but sometimes he would stand up and stretch.  He was SO big!  I couldn't believe it.  I would stare at him in admiration as he would then quickly lower himself to our level so not to frighten us.  Well, that's what I figured - but I believed he just didn't want me to feel self conscious about my "average" sheep size.  You know, with him being so big and strong and all.

I would follow him all around the meadow.  When we weren't grazing with the others, I would go to the other sheep and tell them how amazing Boss Sheep was.  They were all put off by him at first.  Maybe because of his size?  I wasn't quite sure.  But what I was sure of was that Boss Sheep had won my heart with his care and concern for all of us.

Boss Sheep liked knowing what everybody was up to.  And, I loved telling him all about the other sheep.  There were some sheep that Boss Sheep  struggled to relate to.  They didn't trust him.  Or maybe they were just intimidated by him.  I couldn't figure it out.  I mean, just LOOK at Boss Sheep! .. LOOK at how he grins at us all, look at how humbly he crouched in the grass.  Boss Sheep loved us all SO much, he would stay up nights while we slept just to keep us safe.  And, during the days, he would have us all laughing with his wit and charm.  It was my mission in life to convert the other sheep to loving Boss Sheep as I did.

And, can you imagine!?  It worked!  The other sheep listened to me!  They would watch me ... I mean, they knew me all my life... ever since I was just a little lamb.  They knew I was a sheep of integrity, love and truth.  I lived my life to help the others in the meadow with whatever they needed.  So, they trusted my discernment and love for Boss Sheep.  Even Mom and Dad sheep grew to love Boss Sheep. (They were part of the hesitant crowd at first)

I would sometimes, in the early days, worry that others wouldn't accept Boss Sheep like I did.  the other sheep seemed to have a sort of "code" they lived by.  All the sheep were to be white.  And all were to be perfectly average in size.  Runts and Giants were typically sent to other flocks.  Boss Sheep was obviously much larger than us.  But, largely in part due to his humble demeanor - staying low and moving slowly so not to scare us - I had high hopes he would be allowed to stay with us.  And he DID!  There were some close calls.  Times the Shepherd would meticulously count and go through the flock.  During those times - and also sheering day - Boss Sheep would hide in the forest and come back once the activities died down.

How I Ended Up in the Upper Meadow (Chapter 1)

I haven't been with this flock for very long.  It was quite a journey to get here.  But I've found an unexpected kinship in this new meadow.

We all have scars and scratches.  I no longer need to hide mine!  I don't think you know how that feels - To walk plainly around with the marks from your past, to feel safe.  I know I couldn't have imagined how it could feel.  I mean, how can a sheep like me have even imagine the feeling of freedom, peace, protection and acceptance if I had not lived the other side?

I wouldn't.  I couldn't!  

For a long time, I didn't even realize what was happening in my last flock.  I do know I hated shearing time.  My scratches and scars were revealed, but I couldn't explain how they happened.  Nope.  Instead the "Boss Sheep" would tell the others that I got greedy with some blackberry bushes, or that I became arrogant and wandered off into some fencing.  

Of course none of that was true.

Truth is, the marks came from him.  But I couldn't say that out loud at the time.  I had seen the flock turn on others who had told truths "Boss Sheep" didn't like.  That scared me.  All I wanted to be is a good sheep - loved and appreciated.  So I stayed quiet.  ... for too long, I might add.

Eventually, I couldn't hide all the marks.  The shepherd of that flock asked me what was happening.  I tried to tell him, but before I could, the other sheep pushed me out.  It wasn't gentle like an eviction notice or a "dear John" letter.  It was violent.  Emotionally, psychologically, and -yes- even physically violent. 

 Once I was pushed out, I could not come back.  "Boss Sheep" made sure of that.  I did think about trying, but then my injuries would remind me of the price.  I knew I would be killed by the flock - if not "Boss" himself - if I dared return.  

So I left.

I had no idea what lay ahead of me.  The forest was thick.  It was cold and dark and very scary.  I had only ever been in the lower meadow.  I was told it was paradise and that no other place on the earth compared.  I believed them - and still wonder sometimes.  You see, you just can't always escape the voices.  At least I can't.  But then the Good Shepherd found me.  He told me he had been watching me the entire time - he had seen the abuse and knew the truth of who I was.  He picked me up, bandaged my wounds, and carried me to the upper meadow.

That's how I got here.  And, to my surprise, it's GORGEOUS.  As it turns out, the lower meadow is NOT paradise after all!  but I have to admit, it's not just the meadow we are in...  You see, the Good Shepherd moves us around these hills and mountains.  And anyplace we go with Him is awe-inspiring.  It overflows with deep green grasses, bubbling brooks and a keen sense of safety and protection.  So much so, I would describe the true paradise -- the true "perfect" meadow -- as anyplace the Good Shepherd leads us.

I love my new flock.  They are SO colorful!  We have sheep of all sizes and shapes ... in my last flock, you were to be only a certain color and size. With the exception of "Boss Sheep," of course, he was giant.  There are sheep of all colors ... and I LOVE it!  We all have scars and markings from our past.  Some sheep are still healing (actually we all are), but the Good Shepherd takes such good care of us.  One thing I adore here is that most us us sheep love the opportunity to tell the stories about how the Good Shepherd found us... 

The stories are as diverse as we are.  But we never cease to be amazed at how the Good Shepherd found us ... none of us found Him.  He had been watching us - and not in a creepy way.  In a loving way.  A way that saw injustices.  He had cried at the cruelty done to each of us.  He came to us at the most perfect times... wrapped us up and carried us to safety.  

We like to call this meadow "Misfit Meadow."  This is our "home" meadow.  Over the seasons, we are led to graze in different areas, but always return to Misfit Meadow.  You see, none of us fit in our last flocks.  We tried with varying degrees of success!  But, ultimately, we were each pushed out.

That's the abbreviated version of how I ended up in Misfit Meadow... but there's a real story behind even that!  Isn't there always??  I'm looking forward to sharing it with you - it's absolutely unbelievable now that I'm out of that flock and see life differently.  I cannot believe what I believed! ... and I cannot believe the deception and cruelty I endured at the hands of my former flock.  I am eternally thankful the Good Shepherd saw fit to remove me from the lower meadow!