The words of grief
Dear Louisiana Leader,
I’ve been reflecting on Jesus’ words in :
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing.”
These are not the words of frustration — they are the words of grief. When Jesus says, “How often I wanted…,” He is speaking with the weight of generations behind Him — prophets sent, invitations extended, mercy offered again and again. It is the accumulated compassion of God reaching toward His people. And yet, “you were not willing.”
As leaders, we understand something of that tension.
We pray. We prepare. We warn. We invite. We serve. We protect. We stand in the gap.
And sometimes the response is not what we hoped for.
Rejection is not failure
Luke 13 reminds us of something freeing and deeply encouraging: Rejection does not mean Failure. It means love was offered. Jesus’ lament shows us that true shepherd leadership is not measured by universal acceptance, but by faithful, persistent, protective love.
Under her wings
The image Jesus uses is tender — a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. It is protection language. Covenant language. Community language. It reveals the heart of God before it reveals the judgment of God. Gathering is always His first desire.
Keep gathering
As you serve in your ministry and community, remember this: your instinct to Care, to Cover, to Gather, and to Protect reflects the very heart of Christ. Even when people resist, when progress feels slow, and invitations go unanswered, your faithfulness mirrors Jesus.
Keep gathering. Keep extending grace. Keep leading with compassion.
The Lord sees the quiet grief and the persistent love that often goes unnoticed by others. And He honors it.
I thank God for each of you and the way you shepherd His people across our state.
May the One who Gathers Strengthen You as You Gather Others.
Pastor Scott
I am looking forward to Our GATHERING at Lead Conference April 27-28th.
You can register now at www.laaog.org
Dr. J. Scott Holmes
P.O. Box 346
Woodworth, LA 71485
318.445.6238