AMERICAMing - Sheep Parables

Americam Sheep Selfie

Bottle feeding lambs

John 10:27

Lamb sitting

God's Promise

This weekend we had an opportunity to “lamb sit.” I just couldn’t get Jesus’ parable from John 10 out of my head. 

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." - John 10:27

This verse in particular moved in, and made itself at home the moment those two baby lambs arrived. Definitely not something to brush off. Instead, I continued to go about my day, allowed it to get comfortable and talked it over with Him. 

After a couple bottle feedings, running around in the yard, bathing them, cuddling with them, and basically gushing over the sheer adorableness of these baby sheep … it struck me! Jesus’ parable all of a sudden became so much more personal and intimate, and made more sense than it had ever had in my reading it over the years.

You know that feeling when you hear the Lord working, and He gives you a small peek, and shares a bit of His plan with you? The excitement and joy you receive?

It was all of that!

These baby sheep were cute. Ridiculously so; and for all intents and purposes pretty reliant on us. They cried out when they were hungry, or if they got themselves in a pickle that they couldn't find their way out of. Crying out works, too. Because, we came running to their aid. They knew we would come! They knew we loved, and cared for them - that we had what they needed. They trusted us. By morning, they even knew "my voice” and rose with excitement and sought us out. They were wholly dependent on us caring for them. They could hear or smell just the hint of us and they would cry out.

The joy they had in just running through the yard with our youngest daughter was a sight. It was hard not to get involved; so of course I joined in - Belly. Laugh. Central.

I started to really notice the joy my daughter had in caring for these two, little creatures. I started to reflect on all the blessings that I take for granted sometimes when things get crazy as life does at times. This child of mine is a true gift. I remind her often, that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. A blessing from above.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

But, embracing the moment ... not the moment before or the moment coming up; but this moment, right now, right here, it truly is a gift.

I sat in the moment. I made it a point to embrace it and sit whole heartedly in that moment. The gift? I saw the light in my daughters eyes. Her joy, which was absolutely contagious. Her grin went from ear to ear as she giggled at the eagerness of the smallest lamb's uncoordinated attempts to latch onto the bottle and make a mess of himself (and her) while she bottle fed him .. it was chaotic in nature but absolutely beautiful! In that moment the bond I was having with my baby girl warmed my heart. I know she is wonderful and a gift from above. And, so much better than anything I could do for myself.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him." - Psalm 127:3.

But, in that moment, I saw her in a new light. One that is soft and kind, fierce and bold, and yet so nurturing; even at such a young age. That's who she was created to be, and God created her and blessed me with the gift of her! What a privilege it is to experience and realize these kinds of blessings. That kind of love.

So, if I could share a little knowledge I received from our weekend lamb-sitting, it would be this:

Immerse yourself in His Word - put yourself fully into wherever He guides you. You will most certainly gain a new perspective and a new understanding. After all, I've known that verse by heart for as long as I can remember. I’ve studied, listened, and read so many studies and translations of it as well. But, it wasn’t until a friend asked if we could help out over the weekend and look after her 2 baby lambs that that verse was brought to light in such a new, and wonderful way.

Live in the moment - Look for the Lord, and all His blessings in everything. He's there. There's joy and beauty in everything around you. Follow Him. He guides your days, He knows what you need and you can trust Him because He truly loves and cares for you.

This past weekend, the verses, the rainbows, the chaos, the relationships, the time spent loving, caring and cleaning; even the lambs names, little Lucy, and Mr. Tumnus. None of it is a mistake - all of it by grand design.

The people and circumstances you are surrounded by right now are not accidental, they are ALL God-instances. They were not lost on us, don’t let them be lost by you. Turn to Him, cry out to Him, rise each morning and be hungry enough to trust Him with all your needs - He’s there, loving and waiting on You.

"I am the Good Shepherd, and I know those that are Mine; and I am known by the ones that are Mine." - John 10:14

Thank you God.