The Lost Sheep

Reading through the daily devotion in my Sunday School lesson book this week, I read about the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15. Jesus the Shepherd, loves and cares for all of His sheep. In this parable He mentions that any shepherd having 100 sheep, would leave the 99 to go find and rescue just 1 lost sheep. He'd carry it home on his shoulder, rejoicing. The word states that there is more rejoicing in heaven over 1 lost sheep who comes to repentance, than 99 righteous who need no repentance.

This parable made me think of a story from my childhood that I was recently reminded of by my aunt. She told about how as a little kid I thought it was a fun game to hide under the clothing racks from my Mom, while we were out shopping in department stores. One day when I was maybe 3 or 4 years old, I'd gone to the mall with my Mom. I must've had one of my "hide and seek" moments that day. My aunt tells how she also decided to go to the mall that day, but had no idea that her sister-in-law (my Mom) and her niece were there too. She was walking through Hudson's department store (I believe that was the name), when she started to hear what sounded like a little child crying. She thought to herself, "That sounds like Cindy!!!"

She followed the crying until she came upon, guess who?? Me. Wandering and crying hard, and totally lost from my Mommy. Well, I'm sure the minute I saw my aunt my fears lightened, because I knew I was no longer "lost". We soon found my very frightened Mom, and all was well again in my little world.

This has always been one of those repeated funny stories from my childhood. But, while reading these scriptures and today's devotion about a lost little girl, I thought about it differently than I ever have before. The Bible describes Jesus as a Shepherd who cares about and seeks out His lost sheep. When even one is lost or has gotten off on the wrong path, He sees them. He not only sees them, but He seeks them. Not only did God know that I would wander that day, He placed someone who knew me and even recognized my cry right there at the very place and at the very moment I needed to be rescued. 

Wow! What a thought. He's been taking care of me my whole life. He sought me out again when I was a little bit older and was sitting in a Sunday night church service with my family. Listening to the preacher give a message about being saved and asking for forgiveness of sin, and spending eternity in heaven with Jesus. That's where my Dad had gone when I was just 4 years old. I knew that was where I wanted to go when I died, too. I told my Mom I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart and went forward that night. 

Growing up, I felt His presence with me and know His hand was on my life. There were times when I got older that I strayed from the path I should've been on, and was living life for me instead of Him. I can't count the times that He came seeking me. The times He found me. The times He rescued me. I am so thankful that He didn't give up on me. He didn't leave me lost, crying and wandering without help or without hope. 

This past year has not been what any of us could've ever expected. Most of us have never experienced a pandemic, or the culture of division, violence and unrest that surrounds us currently. In all of this, let me assure you that there is hope. None of this takes God by surprise. If you don't have a relationship with Jesus, and have questions or aren't sure how to begin, please send me a message. I'd love to talk or pray for you. In this world, we won't be free of trouble. Perfect only exists in heaven. We have this promise, if we are His child, this is not how our story ends. Lift up your eyes, little sheep. The Shepherd sees you.