The Faithful Shadow

Where her boots go, I follow -in work, in love, in faith.

MaryBelle's Farm

The Genesis of this story: This little tale started as an assignment from the Crooked Crown's Writing Society - to craft a "shadow story" about myself without using the forbidden trio, I, me, or my. The original plan? Skip it entirely. But then a mischievous idea struck: what if my shadow got to tell the story instead and used all the I's, me's, and my's it wanted? With that twist in mind, the scene shifted to a day at the farm, and my shadow took over the storytelling. What follows is a partly true account, sprinkled with a healthy dose of artistic license, and a whole lot of fun. 

My human & me (the shadow)

Dawn in the Barnyard

Have you ever wondered how farmers really wake up? If you’re imagining sunshine and birds singing, trust me – you haven’t seen what I see every morning. Most folks rarely notice me, but I’m always there: the silent shape moving at her feet. I’m the shadow that faithfully follows (and sometimes leads!) a busy goat, sheep, and chicken wrangler—otherwise known as my human. Each morning when her feet hit the ground, she’s ready for whatever comes next.

The First Rounds of the Day

My human in her gator

Let me set the scene. Imagine dew clinging to tall grass, sparkling in the soft gold of early sunlight, while the fresh, crisp smell of morning fills the air. If you look closely, you'll see a lively woman her boots splashing through puddles as she leaps into Gator. She's my human, holding a shepherd's rod in one hand and a dented metal bucket in the other. While some folks might enjoy their coffee, she prefers the morning greeting of a curious goat or the velvet softness of a gentle lamb's nose – little reminders of the Creator’s goodness. The animals greet her with friendly muzzles, their breath warm and sweet.

I have to admit, being her shadow means I've gotten used to dodging mischievous goat horns, feeling the earth thump with their happy stomps, and breathing in that distinctive barnyard perfume of hay, warm fur, and honest work—a daily mix of chaos and charm that keeps me smiling in my invisible way.

She moves from pen to coop faster than you’d believe. The sheep watch her with gentle eyes, waiting for a scratch behind the ears or a treat. She never misses a beat, though sometimes she forgets where she set down her phone. (Don’t worry, I always keep an eye on it – and once or twice I’ve been tempted to hide it just for fun.) If I had hands, I’d probably tie a ribbon to it just to watch her wonder how it got there.

The Unexpected Call

But if you think every morning is just animals and chores, let me tell you about yesterday—because some stories are too good to keep to yourself. There we were, her hauling feed, me faithfully stretching along fence rails—when her phone rang. I could tell by her face that it was one of the grandkids. (She has nine, each one the apple of her eye.) This time, it was her grandson who had just left for college. He drove off in a whirl of excitement, but apparently, his hanging clothes hadn’t joined him on the adventure.

Before I could even cast a decent shadow on the feed bins, she was rushing toward the house. I stretched twice as far to keep up with her. She chuckled to herself about “men and packing.” She called her son, who lives next door, over to help with the rest of the farm chores and waved goodbye to the goats and sheep.

From Goats to College Boys

Grandson exploring the tractor

And then, we were off — not in a pickup full of hay bales but in her trusty minivan, bought to haul grandkids around town. She grabbed a garment bag, and we left the farm behind, zipping through Nashville on our way to a small college town in Kentucky. You should have seen her grin; she’s always ready for any unexpected adventure, especially when it comes from her grandkids. She hummed along to old Christian hymns and shared stories about her grandson when he was younger, chasing goats in tiny boots and feeding them animal crackers. I kept sliding across the van floor with every turn, wishing a shadow could wear a seatbelt – or at least hold onto the southern iced tea she left at home.

Young athlete helping with chores.

I still remember the day our old, favorite bossy goat nipped him—how he jumped back and looked at her with anger. His fury seemed to dance around me; he wanted her sold and gone! My human and I stayed close that day. The seasons changed, and I remained with my human and her grandchild—lying beside him as he grew from a boy into a strong farmhand with mighty arms, ready to handle heavy work. Now he's off chasing his own adventures, and I still wander around the barn and fence line, missing his company and remembering every moment at his heels. 

The Heart of a Shepherd

Grandson's signing ceremony for college

When we arrived at the college, her grandson, now a college athlete, greeted her with that sheepish, grateful smile only college boys can manage. She gave him a quick hug, handed over the clothes, and he showed us around the campus. I followed both of them, nearly invisible in the dormitory lights, but I caught every affectionate glance they shared. After a nice lunch overlooking the Ohio River, he promised to call “even when it’s not a clothing emergency.” I like to think her shadow rubbed off on him a little – because there’s mischief and magic in being the one people rely on when they least expect it. 

On the way home, she said, “That’s the thing about farm life and family—whether it’s goats or grandkids, you drop everything when you’re called.” She meant it, too. I’ve seen her live by that verse she loves: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

Ready for Tomorrow

I guess that’s what makes her the best kind of person – someone who’s always ready to serve, even when it means muddy boots, miles on the road, or a day that doesn’t go as planned. And me? I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. At sunset, I slipped back into my place beside her, ready for tomorrow, because you never know when the next adventure will call.

A shadow’s purpose is to be faithful, to follow without question. I am bound to her steps. But watching her, I've learned that her faithfulness isn't just a duty; it's a form of love. It's the same love she sings about in her old hymns, the kind that leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one. Whether it's a lamb tangled in the fence or a grandson who forgot his clothes, her heart is that of a shepherd. Tomorrow, when the sun rises, I’ll be there, ready to follow her lead, reminded that the greatest adventures are often found in the simple acts of showing up for someone you love.

As her shadow, I’ve learned that life’s most meaningful moments often come unplanned – just like how the Good Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. Whether it’s a mischievous goat or a grandson who forgot his clothes, love shows up when it’s needed most.

Have you ever dropped everything for an unexpected adventure? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!

Things to think about – to turn this into a fun family devotional:

1.     The shadow’s constant, faithful presence mirrors God’s promises never to leave us. 

·      “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

·      The shadow represents how God is always with us, even when we don’t notice.

2.     The grandmother’s immediate response to help her grandson reflects Christ’s heart of service.

·      “Whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all” (Mark 10:44).

·      “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

3.     The Good Shepherd

·      The story is about an actual animal shepherd who behaves like a “good shepherd” for her family.

This directly reflects one of the most cherished metaphors for God's love in the Bible.

·      The shepherd’s rod imagery is rich with biblical symbolism.

·      “The Lord is my Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).

·      “Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He knows His sheep by name (John 10).

·      “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above

yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each to the interests of the others.”

(Philippians 2:3-4).

4.     Seasons of Life & Growth

Celebrating a birthday with the very goat that he wanted to get rid of a few years earlier.

·      Watching the grandson grow from a little boy to a college student.

·      “To everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

·      “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6).

5.     Unexpected Adventures and God’s Plans

·      The spontaneous trip shows how God works through life’s surprises.

·      “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9).