"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 do not go astray.” Matthew 18:12-14. (NKJV).
“Grandfather, I can’t find Beau.” Timmy slid to a stop, gulped.
“When did you see him last? Check his bed in the kitchen?” He nodded. "His basket in the den?" Tears glistened.
“I called him and called him. Think someone took him? Or he’s hurt or--”
“Don’t panic, son. We’ll find him. Surely a three-month-old Boykin Spaniel can’t escape.”
“He’s so tiny, Grandfather, but he ate a good breakfast...”
“I’ll say. If he eats that much every day we’ll call him, Roly Poly.” Grandfather chuckled as they walked into Timmy’s room.
“Why are your clothes piled on the floor?” Timmy dipped his head.
“I forgot. I’ll do it now.” Into his dirty clothes basket he tossed dirty socks and a couple of shirts. He lifted a pair of jeans. A curled up ball of fur was fast asleep.
“Beau.” The puppy raised his head and yawned. He grabbed him, held him close.
“Oh, Beau. You’re safe.” Timmy plopped down in the pile of clothes, rocking his puppy like he'd never let him go.
“What a lesson, son,” Grandfather said. “Jesus told about one sheep who wandered away. So loved, the shepherd left the others to look for him. When he found him, he rejoiced and brought him home on his shoulders.” He tilted his head.
“Now you understand how the Lord feels when one of His lambs is found.” Timmy nodded and hugged Beau who licked his face. He grinned.
“Oh, Beau. You’re safe.” Timmy plopped down in the pile of clothes, rocking his puppy like he'd never let him go.
“What a lesson, son,” Grandfather said. “Jesus told about one sheep who wandered away. So loved, the shepherd left the others to look for him. When he found him, he rejoiced and brought him home on his shoulders.” He tilted his head.
“Now you understand how the Lord feels when one of His lambs is found.” Timmy nodded and hugged Beau who licked his face. He grinned.
“The Lord Jesus loves me as much as I love Beau?”
“More.”
“That’s hard to understand. I love Beau so much I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to—“you sure He loves me that much?”
“Absolutely.”
Timmy held the puppy tight. “Wow. That’s a whole lot of love.”
“Indeed.”
He tilted his head. “I’ll take Beau on a walk—maybe to Sam’s. He needs to know this.”
“Good idea.” He hugged his grandson.
Kingdom Thinking. I wandered in this world, didn't know my destination. The Lord Jesus found me. He picked me up in His arms and brought me to safety. He'll do the same for you. He loves you and promises never to leave you. Won’t you come?