“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.” Matthew 18:12-14. (NKJV).
"What do you think of this one?" This rainy afternoon proved perfect for Grandfather's stories. Timmy sat on the stool facing him.
“Jimmy,” Mom called. She checked his favorite hiding places. Had her two-year-old wandered from the fenced-in back yard?
“I can’t find Jimmy,” her voice trembled as she called her husband at work. He hurried home to search after calling the police. Friends and neighbors pitched in. They scoured the streets--no Jimmy.
Dad went upstairs to check his son’s room--one more time. Not there. As he trudged down the hall, a sound came from the master bedroom.
There in the overstuffed chair, his little son lay curled up, fast asleep.
“I can’t find Jimmy,” her voice trembled as she called her husband at work. He hurried home to search after calling the police. Friends and neighbors pitched in. They scoured the streets--no Jimmy.Dad went upstairs to check his son’s room--one more time. Not there. As he trudged down the hall, a sound came from the master bedroom.
There in the overstuffed chair, his little son lay curled up, fast asleep.
He scooped him up. "Son." He hugged him tight causing Jimmy to giggle.
"Look who I found." With his son on his shoulders, he hurried downstairs.
Rejoicing and laughter sounded throughout the house and spread throughout the neighborhood. Everyone gathered around to catch a glimpse of the son who was found. Their little lamb."
"Wait, Grandfather. Did that really happen?" Timmy tilted his head. Grandfather grinned.
"Wait, Grandfather. Did that really happen?" Timmy tilted his head. Grandfather grinned.
"I may have changed the first letter in the little fellow's name. To protect the innocent." He winked.
"The scriptures teach the Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He seeks out His own. He goes to the mountains where we hide or where we’ve wandered. When He finds us, he lifts us up on His shoulders. He bears our weight and pain.
"Come, trust Me, little one," He calls as He reaches out to us. He loves us and wants us to know He'll always love us."
"The best story yet, Grandfather." Timmy hugged him.
Kingdom Thinking. It doesn’t matter if you’re trembling in your hiding place or running to find refuge in the mountains, the Lord Jesus knows where you are. You're precious in His sight. He loves you and promises never to forsake you. Won’t you put your trust in Him?