As a mother of teenage boys, I can appreciate the word picture presented in Isaiah 40:11.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

First, picture Christ as our shepherd who lovingly, tenderly, intentionally, unceasingly cares for His flock…never losing sight of even one.

He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to his heart.

When my boys were younger, there was a weariness to my days that a nap could not aid.

As they grow, their need for me is slightly less and my role has certainly changed in how I care for them so some weariness has abated.

However, the concerns that plague them as they grow have increased in intensity…that burden of concern I can carry becomes extremely heavy and unrelenting at times.

This where I like and find comfort in God’s Word where He tells me the mom’s are not forgotten as He is guarding His lambs-

He gently leads those that have young.

That would be me He is leading…

How do I teach my son this?

He gently leads me in ways of wisdom.

How do help him over here with this?

He is gently leading me on the path I am to follow for them to follow me.

How on earth do we do this as parents??

He is gently leading me in His example of how to love others.

Who wants to be pushed and pulled to go in a certain direction? The abrasiveness of being yanked and tugged makes me want to dig my heels in and go nowhere…

But to be gently led somewhere….that sounds much more appealing.

It sounds more calm when life seems hectic and chaotic.

It seems more purposeful than random when activity choices are calling my name at every turn.

If I am being gently led then the odds are more in my favor to also gently lead…which is my #1 role as a parent of young men as they need to know which way to go as well.