Shepherding: A Brother's Family

Last Monday night, just before our family prayer at 9 PM, I opened my Facebook account and was shocked to read a message from a brother. This brother is the to whom I preached the gospel and baptized seventeen years ago and whose family I used to shepherd. His message expressed his grief over His mother who just had gone to be with the Lord. Sad news, but I got the timely message, well in time to shepherd him.

In fact, I have not been in touch with him for over a year as he is in Bangaluru, down south. Immediately, I felt the urgency to call him. I did call him and we had a conversation for about 13 minutes. It was a sudden demise of his beloved mother who seemed so healthy only to find her die so soon. Still, he was not able to understand and digest the fact. I comforted him over the phone and prayed with him and for his family as well. At least, in his hard times, I could contact him and be in touch again.

The Lord reminded me that I should have shepherded him more often. Now he has carved a niche in his career with a "Director" post in a private company. He has climbed up the ladder of his career quite fast. The good feeling I had was He still has the taste and tone of the ministry, as that was how he was spiritually shepherded from the very beginning of his spiritual journey. Only his family with a strong denominational tie could not really bring him into the full-fledged practice of the church life.  Now, the Lord has reconnected me with him again. 

As per his suggestions, I also spoke to his wife and also called his sister who was completely grief-stricken. I had no words but prayer, to comfort her as she traveled overnight from Bangalore to Chennai by a cab. 

Immediately in our family prayer, I brought this family's matter and prayed for them. May the Lord comfort them.

The following day, the Lord impressed me deeply to text them and comfort them. I had no word of my own. Therefore, I compiled relevant Bible verses together and texted them the following.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our affliction that we may be able to comfort those who are in every affliction through the comforting with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:2-4

1 Thessalonians 5:9-119. For God did not appoint us to wrath but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10. Who died for us in order that whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with Him. 11. Therefore comfort one another, and build up each one the other, even as you also do.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-1813. But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are sleeping, that you would not grieve even as also the rest who have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so also those who have fallen asleep through Jesus, God will bring with Him. 15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are living, who are left remaining unto the coming of the Lord, shall by no means precede those who have fallen asleep; 16. Because the Lord Himself, with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. Then we who are living, who are left remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will be always with the Lord. 18. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

This definitely is not a pleasant thing, but even in times like these, the Lord reminded me of the new ones whom I used to shepherd that I cannot give anyone up whatever their situation may be. Irrespective of our feelings toward one another, shepherding must still be there. How can a nursing mother forget her beloved children?  The Lord is opening my eyes to see the deeper matter and importance of shepherding. No matter what, I must continue to shepherd, and shepherd. Near or far, I must shepherd the spiritual children the Lord blessed me with. 

Lord, duplicate Your shepherding life into me.