Make me a Shepherd again

Just recently I was with a group of pastors for our weekly prayer time together and as I mentioned in an earlier blog that through that time I was challenged to become a shepherd again and that being a preacher was a part of that shepherd. So over the past several weeks I have been praying that God would again give me a shepherd's heart. God did not call me to be a preacher but a shepherd and that preaching was just a part of that shepherding. I believe that as God makes me a better shepherd I will become a better pastor and preacher. This past week has been a week in which that prayer had a test would I be the preacher or shepherd. It would take me to long to tell in detail of all that has happen this week, but just to say was fun being a shepherd. I do want to reflect one time when I was a shepherd and it was so cool some would say a God thing. It happen Saturday (Dec 26) I was undecided if I was going to walk my 4 mile because I really wanted to walk outside, but the weather was not cooperating so I decided i would walk indoors but I was not happy. As I began my walk I met a man who was also walking and said the hi how are you thing and his comment was he was okay. After I finished my first lap his wife stopped me to tell me that this man had just got out of the hospital on the 23 of December from a 5 bi-pass heart surgery. I told them how neat that was that he wasdoing so good, but I have to admit that mind was on finishing my walk and not talking to these people so as I began my walk again God said to me you want to be a better shepherd yet you did nothing just now and was more concerned about your walk. My prayer became right then Lord help me to see this couple just one more time so I can pray with them and God answered my prayer and I was able to pray for the continued healing of this man and the regaining of his strength. I have to say it was so cool being that shepherd again I know I have more to relearn and God is faithful to help me to do just that. When i had stopped and prayed with this couple I was about a mile into my walk and I have to admit that the remaining 3 miles flew by it is so neat to be used of God to touch others.
Blessings