This morning I read the familiar Psalm 23. ‘The Lord is my shepherd…’ I reflected on ‘Your rod and staff protect and comfort me…’
My ‘Step by Step’ book says: ‘…the shepherds rod was a defensive aid used to ward off enemies of the sheep – so protecting them. …the staff was a disciplinary tool that the shepherd often used to prod and poke the sheep if they misbehaved.’
On Sunday, at our church AGM, we remembered our Safeguarding Policy – the official document that describes how we protect the vulnerable – children and adults – in our church family. It’s our Shepherd’s Rod policy.
I’ve known James for many years, but we’ve not been in touch with each other for a long time. Unexpectedly I got a message from him yesterday. I learned that he’s been sectioned several times; for sixteen months he’s been in a home that looks after people with enduring and severe mental illness. Perhaps it’s a Shepherd’s Rod home.
This morning, walking on the beach, I met Maurice, a cocker spaniel puppy, who thinks that everything is a game and everyone is his friend. Maurice was on a short lead and needed to be reminded of appropriate behaviour. His owner might appreciate a prodding and poking Shepherd’s Staff.
Maurice reminded me of many children that I taught – friendly, boisterous, needing discipline not to punish them, but to keep them travelling in the right direction – children who needed a metaphorical shepherd’s staff for metaphorical prodding and poking.
Returning to the text and its context… ‘Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.’
The God who protects, prods and pokes his sheep is the God of the dark valley, the God who takes away fear, the God who stays close to me.
…But then he will need to stay close if he’s going to give me the protecting, prodding and poking that I need.
malcolmsmusings.org 
I’m thankful for this word this morning! Abundant blessings 🙏
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The honesty and vulnerability of James is inspiring. He didn’t hide his recent struggle with mental illness from you, but talked about it openly.
Your point about many boisterous children needing a coach and not a critic is also spot on. Big people, of all ages, are still works in progress, as well. We all need God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy.
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