A Prayer a Day: Good day, Holy God. Today when I left the Grace Church, the sun was shining brightly on the Grace shepherd. A few years ago, the tree in front of the church was infected with Emerald Ash Borer. It was basically dead. Instead of cutting it down, we found a talented, local artist, Greg Henry, who carved our dead tree into a shepherd, with a staff, and a smiling lamb in his arms. The shepherd tree is a special monument in front, reminding everyone who passes by that you, God, are our good shepherd, and that you can take, that which is dead and make it beautiful. As a child I remember memorizing Psalm 100, “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us and not we ourselves.We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.” Holy God, we thank you for the image of you, as our shepherd. We like to think of you keeping track of us, taking us to cool water, and watching over us to keep us safe from harm. We know we are like all sheep and wander off. We are grateful, that you know us by name and do whatever you must to bring us home, when we are lost. Lord, help us to demonstrate the kind of love for others, that you have consistently shown us. Come Holy Spirit and make us more protective: amen.