Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Lead us to Your kindness
“Baayyy-Beeee. Come on. Come on.” My voice squeaks in a higher pitch than usual with every call. I wait and watch for her, knowing it won’t be long before she pokes her caramel furry head out from the woodland below our cabin’s back deck. It’s part of my morning ritual. I call, “Where are you, girl?” I expect an answer. Something—anything, to let me know she and her fawns survived another night. Alone. My mind wanders to those dark places. After all, shouldn’t caring for the least of these matter to everyone?
I try to peer into the dense thicket. There, several narrow paths lead to a black forest beyond. Hoping to spot her, I know this haven covered in naturalized Mountain Laurels, Locust trees, and assorted evergreens has a way of concealing and protecting its own. All I can do is call out to her and hope she comes. It’s times like these when I’m reminded of Jesus’s love for all creatures, big and small, and how lessons from the Good Shepherd might help us become better friends and leaders.

Learning goodness from shepherds
(I’m using “her” only as my example)
Like all good shepherds, I can:
Care for her as if she is my own.
Tend to her needs.
Guide her along the way.
Hope (and pray) she survives any and all threats from predators, seen and unseen.
*Sure, this deer-friend thing is just my (albeit odd to some) example—Giving you a list of my business or any other leadership credentials doesn’t matter. Kindness matters. Hang here a while. See if you can use these leadership skills in your field of expertise or anywhere within your field of vision.
7 ways to be a leader and friend
- Decisiveness = The ability to make (hopefully ethical, integrity-filled) decisions, particularly when under pressure is an important skill to master.
- Trustworthiness = Hold to a higher standard. Be the friend or leader people believe in because your actions speak louder than your words.
- Empowerment of others = Think of others higher than yourself. Click your heels three times and repeat after me: “I am not a diva”…
- Clear communication = Speak honestly. Do not tell a list of lies…Don’t be a Pinocchio! And—do not—I repeat, do not communicate like a political candidate of any sort.
- Resilience = Be thick-skinned. That doesn’t mean being cold-hearted. Humbly move onward—maybe in a totally new direction—no matter who cuts you down or whatever hardship comes your way.
- Be courageous = Speak the truth and stand for that truth, even when it’s not popular.
- Believe = Don’t listen to the noise around you. Everyone has their opinions…Only listen to the One who holds you in the palm of His hand.
Think about how Jesus led with humility, kindness, and unconditional love for all and how these simple lessons from the Good Shepherd might help us become better leaders and friends.
Not all of us can do great things. But we call do small things with great love.
Mother Teresa

Tried and true
We’ve all heard (and might believe) the saying: “True friends are hard to come by.” While I believe we should nurture and cherish our dearest (or deer-est) relationships, I don’t want to overthink it. Yes, I’m told overthinking is a thing I occasionally (or maybe almost always) do.
I’ve had many—okay, now I’m lying—I mean, some, best friends. Well…a few counts as some, right?
And… do they all have to be human?
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Another who’s your best friend story
Last week, my husband called out to me from our back porch as I worked in our vegetable garden. “You should go out front. Your best friend is here.”
“Who?” I momentarily dropped my small spade, hoping he didn’t notice the puzzled expression on my face. Do I even have a best friend anymore? “Uh, I’ll be right up.”
After a few quick stops to deadhead some flowers, I made my way to the front driveway of our home. The familiar crash of the storm door sent a cardinal, jay, and whatever else that lurked beyond our hedges flapping and squawking. “Where’d they go?”
Dennis looked at me. “Who’s your best friend?”
Wha? I scrunched my eyebrows, quickly surveyed the area, and thought out loud for a moment. “Is this a trick question?
“No. Most people would have answered in a few seconds.”
I reached up and hugged him. “I’m not most people.”
You can say that again.” He said and laughed.
“Ha, ha, smarty pants. I’m thinking.”
His grin spoke a thousand words, so I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I mean, what was I going to say? We both knew God wasn’t there.
“I give up, Dennis. Who was it?”
“You really don’t know who your best friend is, do you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t have a best friend.”
“Your deer was here.”
My heart leapt as if I spotted her in the forest for the first time. “Where?”
“I’m sure she’s somewhere close,” he said and pointed to the small stream at the edge of our property. You’d better hurry if you want to feed a few apples and grapes to her fawns before dark.”

Knowing my husband was right, I bolted. And yes, her appearance was a bit different than my other besties throughout my lifetime. Although I’m sure Celeste, Valerie, Susan, Tammy, Cindy, Madeline, Ruthie, 2 Glorias, and 2 Janets would all agree, she definitely belongs on my best friends list.
If you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re lucky. If you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky.
S.E. Hinton
His mercy extends beyond His sheep
After many years of sharing random stories on various subjects including family, nature, leadership, hardship, and love, I believe those stories exist because God freely gives (sometimes with different perspectives) to all who seek to see how His goodness transcends all human kindness and reaches further than we can comprehend or imagine.
His love for us and all His creation teaches us how to be hopeful when all hope seems lost. I’ve lived this truth firsthand and have gained patience and courage through the work of His Holy Spirit. That’s why I believe lessons from the Good Shepherd might help us become better leaders and friends.
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God.
Psalm 42:1
Father God, You always make a way—even when or where there seems to be no way. I pray You keep calling out to us.
Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Lead us, Good Shepherd, to Your goodness.
Leader, Follower, or friend?
Dear friends,
After a summer filled with loving family and friends celebrations, ongoing renovations, and location changes, it’s good to be back in the IAF fold for another season. Have you ever considered where God is leading you or what it might take to become the leader or friend He wants you to be? What if true leadership begins with following?
Stop by my Dreamdove’s Flights of Fancy blog or DoveStories website or look for me on Instagram, FB, X, Pinterest,etc….
Wishing you love, peace, and joy for your journey.
~ JC
Want more of the Good Shepherd’s goodness?
His goodness is abundant … Psalm 31:19 ESV
His goodness is always with us … Psalm 23:6 ESV
He fills our hungry souls with good things … Psalm 107:8-9 ESV
Special thanks to Pixabay and all image authors for free use of images from Pixabay. Feature image by (thelegendreturn) TRANG NGUYEN, #1 image by (garten-gg) G.C., #2 (Tama66) Peter H, #3 image by (furbymama) Andy M.
I love the nudges we get from Creation.