The shearer we use is from Wales. Being an expert shearer, he works fast. He charges more than the local guy, but his speed and experience are worth it as they stress the sheep less. I gathered the fleeces as quickly as he sheared them. I have since been playing with natural, abundant wool.
When the shearer began and fleece was flying off, it became obvious who was in lamb, who needed more grain, and who looked good. Getting rid of a year’s worth of wool showed the “truth”. For some, the truth was a glorious revelation of health; for others, it was apparent that quick action on their behalf was critically needed.
Openness: this is what shearing is. It reveals how the sheep are really doing. I pondered with the comparison with our own openness – and how we are truly doing. Are we open spiritually? Do we reveal how we really are, or do we cover up our lives with thick fleeces that obscure the truth that is hidden beneath? Covering up leaves us at risk. Our needs physically (as with the sheep) may not be adequately met, or even more so, our emotional and spiritual needs can go unmet. Spring is a time known for cleaning and new starts. It is a good time for us to do a personal shearing - and see how we really are under the coverings we let accumulate.
The above pictures are of two of my ewes that were fed the same stuff, but obviously had very different needs.
The one on the left was immediately given special attention and her individual needs have been addressed.
Watching Miracles
Just like all things with God, much is out of our control. My first lambs were born 4 days early. Beautiful twins - one boy and one girl. How happy I was to see the miracle of new births. The last few weeks have been a time of rejoicing in the miracle of life that God has structured. I cry and pray with amazement each day as I see new little lambs. I thought that my 14 bred- ewes would spread out lambing over a month. However, 11 of my 14 had all of their babies within 10 days of each other. By the end of March I had 18 lambs! I began to watch for their growth and health.
A really fun circumstance that I had not expected was that the ewes lambed in the early hours of the morning. When one of us showed up to feed them at about 11am there were often sets of twins or bouncing singles that would be up and running around. One morning when I showed up there were 5 more lambs. Each day I was watching miracles take place.
Spring Miracles!
