Leading?

"I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me,"  (John 10:14)

We've talked about following but how are you at leading?  It can be leading just about anything -- a choir?  A Bible study?  Getting people from point A to point B?  I love my mother but directing, leading, a choir was not what she could do.  She did try though.  We had a choir at one of the churches Dad was serving.  Children from about 1st grade through my age - about 7th grade at the time - were in it.  We did great, at home with "our" pianist, but then we were invited to join with other choirs.  We were used to Mom "waving" her arms and "just" following the piano.  The new pianist, for the whole group, thought she should be following Mom.  Those of you who know more about music know how difficult  that would be.

The Gospel reading, today, is about Jesus as our Shepherd.  He has just healed a man "blind from birth." (John 9:1) which has let to some....... interesting(?) discussions.  Questions from the Disciples, discussions between the man and others, his parents and others, and, yes, the Pharisees (leaders of the synagogue) and the final question, from the Pharisees listening of "We are not blind are we?"  To which Jesus answers with the references to sheep, shepherds and knowing.  Jesus knows his sheep, followers, and we know our Shepherd - right?  Jesus is using the image of Shepherd, and sheep, because it was practical to that day and time.  People knew shepherds and probably had sheep.  The people knew, and could "see," what Jesus was saying.  What example would work for you?  Do you see Jesus as the good Shepherd?  Do you know his voice?

As Caregivers we are already following various instructions for "our" people.  We are already listening to a lot of different voices.  My questions, however, are about listening for God's voice?  Are we following our Shepherd?  Can we share how our Shepherd IS with us, guiding us and giving us strength?  Are we following where our Shepherd is leading?