I Followed the Wrong Leader!

My mother had one of those big wringer washing machines when I was little. We lived in an old beautiful farmhouse that was filled with all kinds of secret play areas and interesting hideaways. The washing machine stood proudly in the kitchen and when it was laundry day it became the prominent appliance that required focused attention from my mother.  She would use the hose to fill it with water, add the sorted clothes and then pour in the detergent. With a turn of the switch the agitator would begin to do its work and then after rinsing she would do the most magical thing. The wet clothes would go slowly through the wringer. Each time I was in the room while my mother was wringing out the clothes, she would turn to me and say, "Don't ever put your fingers in the wringer!"

Funny how we forget the protective words from someone who doesn't want to see us get hurt.

My older brother, he must have been 6 years old at the time, said he had a surprise for me and that I should follow him. I loved my big brother and was so excited to see what he wanted to show me on this day! Following him into the kitchen I stared in confusion as he pointed to the wringer washing machine. "this will be so much fun", he excitedly shouted at me. I heard my mother's words echoing in my mind.


First he showed me how the machine worked, I think he wanted me to trust him.  


Next he took a wet towel and put it through the wringer. "Look at all of the water that came out of it!" I began to get excited as I stepped closer to see the water.


After that, my brother, the one that I thought I could trust, encouraged me to,"put your fingers here, it won't hurt!" 


Finally, as my fingers began to go through the wringer, I realized that my mother had told me not to put my fingers in the wringer, BECAUSE IT WOULD HURT!!!!!


I made some serious errors this day;

I watched him demonstrate the machine

I stepped closer to the machine

I listened and followed his directions

I got hurt

All of this happened because I followed the wrong leader!

Are you following the right leader?

Jesus is the good shepherd! He gently leads us to restful places. 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, 

John 10:11

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

 he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

 You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

 Psalm 23

Thank you Father. Your sheep, Jann