By Kuhiwa Erwin
Mornings in the pasture were filled with delight,
Cuddling with Dad felt cozy and right.
Before she got up, he’d pull her in tight,
And whisper sweetly “I love you more than life.”
Every moment with Dad there was never any doubt,
His love for her most certainly stood out.
From his little side nuzzles to caring for her,
Love resounded loudly from his heart and character
But there was one phrase that was always quite clear
“I love you more than life” he would whisper in her ear
While sitting with Willow and Brook one evening,
Laurel began to ponder these words and their meaning
“What does ‘more than life’ mean?” she asked.
Brook said “Maybe it’s a phrase he heard in the past?”
Willow gave it some thought then timidly said,
“Perhaps, you’re the best thing in his life instead?
But rather than guessing, and being misled,
Ask your father when he puts you to bed.”
As the moon and stars shone brightly that night,
Dad and Mama came to tuck her in tight.
She felt the warmth of their love as they pulled her in near,
Then Dad nuzzled her close and spoke in her ear,
“I love you more than life, my sweet darling dear”
Oh those familiar words she so loved to hear.
“What does that mean?” Laurel softly spoke.
Dad looked down, smiled and gave her a loving stroke.
“Let me tell you a story so you can understand,
It’s about the Good Shepherd who was more than a friend.
“This Shepherd loved His sheep oh so very much!
He guarded them from wolves and dangers and such.
He guided them, cared for them and watched them night and day
But despite His love and guidance, His sheep would go astray.
So the Shepherd had a plan,
He chose to be no longer a man.
Instead He became a small, little lamb
And told the sheep ‘follow me; the Shepherd, I am.’
‘I love you more than life’ He told His sheep.
‘I want for you to be safe in my keep.’
Some followed, but others only would scorn:
‘Our Shepherd would not a lamb be born!’
He warned them of the dangers of going astray,
And told them that soon He would go away.
He showed them how the Shepherd wanted them to live
And taught of the Shepherd’s heart to forgive.
He could hear the wolves growling
And many of the sheep at Him were still scowling.
He knew the wolves were very near
And wanted to devour all of the lambs He held dear.
The Shepherd now as a lamb came to live
Knew that to save them His life He would give.
So He went to those sheep who with scorn were filled
Who then gave Him over to the wolves to be killed.
As the wolves did their worst, He gave them no strife
His actions resounded loudly ‘I love you more than life’
But the story does not end in gloom,
For joy arose beyond the tomb!
On the third day, He rose again,
The Shepherd victorious—forever to reign!
The wolves that thought they’d won the fight,
Now trembled at His glorious light.
He broke their bite, removed their sting,
So we need not fear anything.
Because of the Shepherd’s love for me,
Now I can say without reservation you see:
‘I love you more than life’ my lamb
I’d give my life so you could be in His hand.”
With tears in her eyes, Laurel hugged her Dad,
Feeling even more love she never understood he had.
“I want to have this kind of love;
The love that gives all and comes from above.
I love our Good Shepherd who loves me and you,
And I love you more than life, my dearest Dad, too!”
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13
“We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
