When our son Scott was five, we bought him a border collie. Scott named the puppy Katie. Even though there were no sheep to keep up with, Katie kept up with Scott. Believe she might have thought he was a sheep, because she naturally herded him.
These dogs are naturally affectionate, energetic, and smart. Katie liked to be petted and was most generous with her kisses. Her energy knew no bounds. If she hadn’t had enough exercise, she would race around the yard in circles when she was older. She had intelligent almond eyes that fixed on the person talking to her.
Keeping Scott from the busy street in front of our house was a priority for her. When the two went for walks, she was in protective mode with ears pointed and eyes looking from side-to-side. They were buddies, and the bond between them lasted.
If Scott’s friends were in the yard, they were also protected.
A neighbor’s old, oak tree fell on our house when Scott was in the sixth grade. It was a Sunday morning before it was time to go to church. Scott and John were still asleep, and I was sipping coffee in the living room. Suddenly there was a loud noise followed by a crash. Our house shook. The tree fell into and across Scott’s room, but the branches landed beside his bed, not on his bed.
Katie was all over him, seeing if her sheep was okay, and bathed his face with happiness. With unbelief, John and I watched Scott crawl out of his bed into the top of an oak tree that covered most of his bedroom.
I am so grateful for Katie, but I am even more grateful for the Shepherd and His angels that protected Scott that day. It was a visual none of us have forgotten. The ending could have been so different. Scott was shielded by His heavenly Father, His Shepherd. Inches could have made such a difference in the outcome of that tree falling on our house.
Even though we had never prayed about protecting us from a tree falling on our house, our Shepherd knew it was a reality, and He provided His shelter.
Psalm 121:1-4
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not suffer my foot to be moved. He that keepeth Israel/you/Scott/me/ His sheep will neither slumber nor sleep.
Sheila Ingle 