Shepherding Grace: Cultivating Compassion and Presence in Our Lives

The shepherding grace is one that seeks out people, and invites compassion into the busyness and impersonality of culture. They create atmospheres of welcome and guard the hearts of the group. The people with this grace demonstrate the tenderness and mercy of our Jesus. Psalm 103:13 says, “The same way a loving father feels toward his children— that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you.” 

However, I almost sigh when thinking about this specific grace, because ladies, it isn’t mine. I operate in an evangelistic and apostolic grace, but I just absolutely love shepherds. They are often my favorite people, because they are designed with every nurturing and gentle cell possible. Looking back at my father whose heart is almost radical, it is so full of compassion and empathy, both things that counteract the fire I bring to most settings.

Over time, in moments where healing in my life was needed, someone who has the shepherding grace entered. They opened their homes to me, they baked me cookies, and they sought out the care that my heart was desperate for. And in those sweet moments of nurture, I met Jesus in a new way.

Throughout the years, I have learned to grow in this grace that does not come naturally to me. To provide comfort where I would often bring solutions. To rest and grieve in spaces where I feel we should move. Learning to become more like a shepherd comes with an entire herd of sheep to care for, and what a privilege it is! 

I have always stood by the thought that we find even more glimpses of the Lord’s love for us as we serve others and share our lives with them. John 10:11 says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” While this feels heroic and unattainably sacrificial, I think being a good shepherd like Jesus is often more simple than we think. It is sharing our lives with our sheep.  Shepherds carry burdens, celebrate victories, and create intentional, sustainable rhythms to be able to slow down. 

A few ways to implement some shepherding postures is practicing real presence - in conversation and other spaces. It may mean putting your phone down at a coffee date or a meeting. Creating margin in your life to allow for interruptions, for spontaneous hosting, or being able to serve tangibly. Welcoming inconvenience for the sake of the gospel. Asking intentional questions and then actually following up. Trusting that your new friends won’t judge you for your messy house, because theirs is just as messy. 

These small adjustments mean the world to the people you are shepherding or are sharing your lives with. Approach these things simply and with an understanding you may not always get it right. Ask those with a shepherding grace how they sabbath, what ways they invite people in, and how they sit at the Father’s feet. Growing in this grace is available and will come from receiving the Holy Spirit to see others as God sees them. 

How will you seek to represent the tender heart of Jesus today?

Prayer: God will you fill me with the grace and the anointing of a shepherd. Would you grow my capacity for compassion and show me how to share my lives with those around me. Help me to celebrate with others in moments of joy and mourn with those experiencing sorrow. Lord remind me that I cannot do any of this in my own strength but out of the overflow of what you have given me. Amen.

~Isabelle Thomas, Worthy Content Creator