I Shot The Sheriff

I didn't want to do it. Not at first. He was my friend - or so I thought. He was exactly what my family needed - but I was wrong...dead wrong. When confronted with the facts there was really only one thing to do. So I shot him...I shot the sheriff.

I wish I had seen it sooner. He'd been a part of our family for over 8 years. He was an acquaintance longer than that. But when I heard how he talked to my family - I mean really heard him with open ears AND open mind - I had had enough. I can still hear her crying.

It wasn't her fault. She didn't deserve that kind of treatment. Gracie didn't want hot dogs for dinner. She said her belly hurt. The sheriff didn't seem to care. He told her we were having hot dogs or nothing! She frowned and cowered a little at his sternness and then timidly complied.

When my wife came to the table she had a ham sandwich. Ham is a little easier on Gracie's stomach, so she asked, in kind of a whine, if she could have some ham. Her mother graciously said "Yes." The sheriff didn't like that at all. He hated it when someone contradicted his wishes - his demands. That was his first rule, sort of an unwritten one - never defy the sheriff.

As Gracie ate quietly and gingerly, still aware of her upset stomach and the glare of the sheriff, the sheriff said, "Well Gracie - I guess you got what you wanted." Sick or not, she had gone against his wishes. And with one heartless turn of a phrase he had taken care of her willful disobedience and her selfishness. What happened next makes ME sick. Gracie bowed her head and let her hair cover her face (she got that from her mother). Then came the tears. One by one they fell - like great drops of rain. Down they came - tears, countenance, spirits. That's when I decided that the sheriff had to go.

Once he was gone I was able to see all the damage the sheriff had done. It would take a lot to heal the hurt, drive out the fear, and restore our home to health. So I hired a shepherd.

You see, a sheriff bends and breaks the will over the law - but the shepherd binds the heart to the Chief Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd. Don't get me wrong, the shepherd has rules. He uses his rod to guard and to discipline - a rod that is in his hand quite often around our house. But he also has a staff to guide. And both are powered by love for those needing his guarding, discipline, and guidance.

The shepherd had a date today. It was with that same little girl the sheriff berated a few weeks before. I think some things are being restored. Time will tell.

And the sheriff? He tried to go along. Apparently he wasn't mortally wounded. That's ok. The shepherd had his rod.

And love covers a multitude of sins.

ct