Saturday, September 12, 2009

Knowing the Shepherd

A young friend of mine just got his first Bible last year, and I think I mentioned before that for his 12th birthday we sent him 12 of our family's favorite stories from the Bible. It was a great thing for us too, because we were able to go back and reread and talk about them and why they meant so much to us. I don't know why this shocks me every time that it happens, but it does. When I re-read my scriptures I am always surprised to learn something new, not that I have them memorized or anything like that, but that I keep learning something new from them... that I never knew before. I am sure that is why it is important for us to study them so often. I shared my experience with this young friend of the importance of reading and learning about the Savior Jesus Christ. Understanding who He is and what He did can make a profound difference in our lives, especially if we try to emulate Him more.

When I read this story, I thought I need to send this to my friend also. It is a great way to remind us that it is important to truly know the Shepherd. I hope you enjoy it, good night dear friends and thanks for all your love and support.

I know the Shepherd

There was once a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23. Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation - "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want"..the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the Psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life. But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?" The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent. With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears. Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training - but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?" The young man quietly replied, "Well sir, you know the Psalm... I know the Shepherd." 
- Author Unknown 

 

“There is a great difference between knowing and understanding: you can know a lot about something and not really understand it” ~ Charles F. Kettering

" Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand" ~ Chinese proverb

" To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to."  ~ Kahlil Gibran

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