"Tender shepherd, tender shepherd..."

"Tender shepherd,
tender shepherd
watches over all her sheep.
One say your prayers,
and two close your eyes,
and three, safe and happily
fall asleep..."

I've always loved the lullaby "Tender Shepherd" from the 1954 musical version of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. It seems a fitting soundtrack for this post. 

My 2010 summer at the Adventure Unlimited Ranches is fast coming to a close, and what I have witnessed of God's love, guidance, protection, and care in the lives of campers, counselors, and staff, is staggering.  I stand in awe of His omnipotence and grace.

There are so many stories that are not mine to tell.  I pray that those whose lives have been transformed and healed will find ways to share what they have experienced...during peak climbs, along the river, through on mountain biking trails, and in cabins...with loved ones.  I will hold, what I have witnessed of their journeys, in my heart, in sacred confidence...forever.

This afternoon I was praying about how to say thank you to one of my "partners" in this adventure...the Christian Science nurse, who is also here to support healing in our camp community.  Being able to work shoulder-to-shoulder, and heart-to-heart, with such devoted spiritual caregivers, is a holy gift each summer.  This poem is a song of love to my friend Laura, and, in truth, to each of the nurses I have had the privilege of partnering with over many summers at camp...I love you...



she arrives
in a cloud of stardust,
a moonbeam,
a whisper of
peace,
peace,
always "peace"

her hands are
deft and
gentle...
strong and pure,
ready,
willing,
skilled,
kind...

but it is her
eyes,
her smile,
the touch of something
deeper than
a surgeon's
probe...
it is
a love
that reaches
to still
the aching of a broken heart,
calms persistent pain,
staunches sudden fear...

do not be
fooled, 
do not be
distracted by
the
bandages and
soft cloth she will use to wipe
away the dust and
tears,
they
are not the substance of
her work,
they
are only symbols of
her heart...
so focused on
"binding up the broken hearted"
and
rejoicing in
the baptism
"submergence in Spirit"

in her heart
a manger
becomes a temple,
and the basin of water
is transformed
into
a sacred
font
where all
are bathed,
washed clean,
in
the river of His
pleasures

She is Christ's
servant...
by His side in the
operation of
Truth's curative
care,
comfort's art,
Spirit's touch of regeneration,
Love's first aid...

her balm is laughter
and
she wraps you
in her unfailing
confidence
that
God is All....in all.

Joy rings
out
clear, precise,
laser-like
and
tears are dried in
the warmth of her
beholding,
by the
gentle
breeze of her
movements

a smoothed brow,
a closed wound,
a touch as
soft as the breath of
summer air,
as firm as the mountain
beneath our feet,

She trusts as a
child,
she sings like a lark,
her words are
soft as a butterfly's kiss....

she waits with cool fingers,
she companions with angels, 
she sits in the
sacred space of Mary
while her
Martha hands
care for all
children...
because
in doing so, she 
honors
the boy
who once
brought a message...
of 
"thy sins are forgiven,
rise and walk"

she is my friend,
we are partners,
I am blessed....


this has been one very special summer...thank you for sharing it with me...

rest well tonight....with Love,
Kate
Kate Robertson, CS