My wool was dirty but I did not care, I was finally free- I hated having to walk in a line, following the shepherd like I did not have a mind of my own and the rest of the flock like babies without a mother, I was finally free and could go my own way without someone leading me or restricting me, I could now graze from any pasture that I wanted- no need to wait for someone to tell me when and where I could eat- I was now my own shepherd. I had become the sheep and the shepherd, the owner of my own life.

The first day was exciting, I ran and walked in circles- my shepherd would always lead in a boring straight line but now I ran and walked in circles, I laughed and rolled on the grass, this was freedom and when I got up, I had walked in circles and could not find my way back home and my wool that was as white as snow had now become filthy.

The second day was refreshing, after walking- I tried to identify the pasture that I could eat but the land was dry, i walked and walked for hours -looking for pasture but could find none, my shepherd always knew the way to the greenest pastures and here I was hungry but I shook it off and slept on an empty stomach.

The third day was amazing, I was thirsty- I saw the river but the waves were violent, they hit and hit against the stones and when I tried to drink, the violent rivers lifted me and carried me tossing me against stones, I became weary - fighting for my life, I managed to swim to the shore- the shepherd always led me through still waters, I started to wonder how I would ever find my way back.

The fourth day was devastating, my short legs ran and left my body when I saw the wolves come for me, they attacked me, they tore on wool- my whole life flashed before my eyes- how my shepherd provided for me, how he led me through still waters and now I was about to die - I had made a mistake, I could no longer find my way home, I missed my brothers and sisters- I missed the songs we would sing, the laughs and the following and now I was going to be eaten, I closed my eyes awaiting death to snuff out the life in me.

Suddenly, I felt the firm hands of my shepherd- I perceived him before I saw him. I opened my eyes and there he was, he had put me on his shoulders, he rescued me and prepared a table before my enemies, he carried me into safety, he washed me and I became white as wool - he reunited me back with my family. He did not hold it against me, he was more than happy to come and get me and although I had lost my way to him, he knew the way to find me and restored me to himself- there was nothing outside of him, it was a scary world with a mirage of freedom but true freedom was walking in a line, it was being protected and secure - walking with the one who knew the way. No matter how far I strayed- He came for me, he left the ninety-nine and came for me.