"Go Get Them"

I came across this story the other day. I can't get it out of my mind...

The story comes from a shepherd hut in the hills of Scotland. The sheep had been brought into the fold for the night. The shepherd had ministered to them according to their needs. Two of his fold were missing. What should he do? Oh, he knew! There was only one thing that a faithful shepherd could do. So he went to the shelter where his faithful collie lay, suckling her own little flock. Now a faithful dog is very precious to the shepherd's heart. But he called her. And she looked up into the face of her master.

“Two are missing,” and up went two fingers. “Two are missing, Collie. Away by and get them.”

“You wouldn't send me out again tonight,” her eyes seemed to say, as she lingered a moment before going in obedience to her master's voice. “It has been a long day – I'm so tired – not again tonight.”

“Away by, Collie, and get the sheep,” said the shepherd.

And the tired Collie went. Away from home and much-needed rest, she went in response to her master's call.

Finally the shepherd was aroused by a scratching at his cottage door. It was the dog's way of announcing her return. It must have been midnight. The shepherd got up and cared for the sheep that had been found. But one was still missing. Again he went to the outhouse. Perhaps he did not realize how very tired she was as she lay there nursing her little ones.

Again he called.

And again the collie looked up with her pleading eyes for a bit of rest, a little more relaxation.

“Collie, get the other sheep,” commanded her master.

“Oh, not again tonight,” her eyes seemed to be pleading from their depth of meaning. “Haven't I been faithful? I am so tired – please don't send me again tonight.”

Perhaps the shepherd petted her a bit. I don't know. The story didn't tell us. But anyway, his commanding voice came again: “Away by, Collie, get the sheep.” And out she went.

In two or three hours, the shepherd was again aroused by the familiar scratching at the door. The collie had brought the other sheep; and looking up to her master, she seemed to say, “There it is. I've done as you bade me. It's back.” Then, as the shepherd went to look after the sheep, the worn-out dog dragged herself to the kennel. When the sheep had been cared for, the shepherd went to praise his dog for her faithful work that night. He stooped to pat her and speak a word or two of appreciation. But it was too late. The life cord had snapped. There she lay, her little ones tugging away at her lifeless body.

That is the story. But it never stops there in my mind. Somehow I see the Master stooping over me and saying, “Two missing. Go get them – yes, more than two – that you know, that your life touches. Go get them.” And I think of the faithfulness of that collie. She did her best. She gave up her own comfort. She sacrificed herself. She was obedient even to death. Then always comes the challenge to serve with the same spirit of faithfulness, letting absolutely nothing hinder implicit obedience to the Master's command. Yes, that is the keynote of the life that wins.

-Matilda Andross, in The Life that Wins, pg.109 – 111