A Good Shepherd

My husband, Bob Schulenberg’s grandfather, Robert Knox was mostly a quiet man. Maybe that came from his years herding sheep. For me, thinking of Grandpa’s time as a shepherd, reminded me of Jesus as the good shepherd. This image doesn’t necessarily evoke memories of my husband’s grandfather, Robert Knox, for most of our family, but it does for me. Jesus always took care of his sheep, and Grandpa always took care of his sheep and his family too. A shepherd’s primary duty is to ward off predators like coyotes, mountain lions, bears, or any other threat that could harm or kill the sheep. Historically, and perhaps even now, the shepherd is often the sole guardian of the sheep, since sheep are known to be quite docile. Predators, on the other hand, are anything but docile. Driven by hunger, they see the shepherd as the only barrier between them and their prey, placing the shepherd directly in harm’s way. That could have been the position Grandpa found himself in.

You may be curious about the relevance to Grandpa Knox, and indeed, there is a connection. Grandpa Knox once worked as a shepherd, and he had a greater imperative to protect his flock from predators. Unlike many shepherds who were alone, Grandpa was not. Accompanied by his wife, Nettie, and their three-year-old daughter, Joann Knox (Schulenberg), his first duty was their safety. While I cannot confirm any encounters where he wrestled with coyotes, mountain lions, or bears, it is conceivable that he had to scare some away using a gun or maybe just a loud voice.

Grandpa Knox never seemed to be the type to hunt or confront predators, yet I imagine he would have risen to the occasion if needed. The Grandpa Knox I knew when I became part of the family was more inclined towards gardening. He devoted many summer hours to cultivating the garden at my in-laws’ place, which blessed our family with an abundance of wonderful vegetables. I used to think the most formidable predator he faced was perhaps a stray cow or a ravenous rabbit. Indeed, he dealt with those as well, but there was a time when he safeguarded his sheep from predators, reminiscent of the biblical shepherd tales. Today marks the 116th anniversary of Grandpa Knox’s birth. Wishing you a happy Heavenly birthday, Grandpa Knox. We love and miss you very much.