Singing

A friend asked me to sing in a quartet in church. I agreed before I knew it was a song about moms that would be sung on Mother's Day! When I first sang the song I thought there is no way I will get through this song. I am posting the lyrics.

Keeping Sheep
by Lynne Perry Christofferson

I have a little flock of sheep,
And they are mine to tend and keep,
And I must guard them every day,
For little lambs when left alone will lose their way.

So many voices say to me,
"A sheep-fold is no place to be.
Your time in there is dull and slow,
And lambs leave very little room for you to grow."

Oh if I never start to stray,
Deceived by thoughts of greener pastures,
Remind me Lord that keeping sheep
Will lead to happier ever-afters.

Oh surely there will come a day
When all the lambs have left my side,
And I am free to roam about,
And go exploring other meadows, green and wide.

Yet something whispers in my heart
That when my sheep have left this pen
I'll long to stroke their little heads,
To draw them close to me and have them young again.

So if I never start to stray,
Deceived by thoughts of greener pastures,
Remind me Lord that keeping sheep
Will lead to happier ever-afters.

So while they still are in my care,
I pray that I will clearly see
These little lambs within my fold
Are tender gifts a loving Father has given me.

The funny part is we were practicing this week in the primary room and a couple of us had several "sheep" that were running around crazy or crying while we were trying to practice. We couldn't get through one verse without one of us needing to break up a fight, pick up a crying child or stand close just to hear each other. I mentioned that I found the lyrics touching. My friend April said, "Well if you think you are going to cry just imagine this moment with all these little sheep running around screaming or crying." The irony of the situation should keep our emotions in check.