Lost and Found Lambie - A Reminder of God’s Searching Love

^“So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?”  (Luke 15:3-4, NLT)

(Warning: The following true story may cause a heart-warming reaction)

The grandkids’ nap time at Nana and Papa’s house usually went well, but one day their two-year old granddaughter Hallie was in tears. Her beloved calico-eared lambie was missing! How could she take a nap without her “Stuffy”?

 The search for the lost lambie began in earnest. Perhaps Hallie left Stuffy at story time, which happened to meet earlier that day at city hall instead of the town library .  While Nana stayed with the grandkids, Papa hurried back to city hall. No sign of Stuffy.

Over the next few days, Hallie’s parents and grandparents made calls to library and city hall staff, as well as to other parents in the story time program, engaging their help in the search. They posted pictures of Stuffy on social media and agreed to keep searching. Days went by and still no Stuffy.

But then two weeks later, a city employee spotted something in the city hall parking lot. A now damp and dirty Stuffy rested up against the corner of the brick building. The lost lambie was found!

Excited and jubilant calls were made to Hallie’s parents and grandparents. The town library even posted the story of Stuffy’s search and rescue on their Facebook page.  And Hallie squealed in delight as she reunited with her lost lamb.

            This story of the search for one little girl’s lost lambie reminds me of Jesus’s parable in Luke 15:1-7.  If you haven’t read it recently, I encourage you to pause and read these few verses today. Take a moment to let Jesus’s words speak to your heart.

(You can read Luke 15:1-7 HERE )

Be encouraged by the great Love of God that relentlessly pursues you. One lost sheep matters to Him.

We may be tempted to believe that we’re too lost, too broken, or too insignificant to be searched for. But that is not how Jesus sees us. He is in the business of search and rescue as our Good Shepherd. Not because of our own goodness, like we can somehow earn His love. But because of His Mercy, Grace, and Love!

And He celebrates and rejoices when we are found (just like sweet Hallie).

Take a few minutes this Valentine’s weekend to renew your mind with the Truth of God’s Love for His sheep:

And as you remember the Love that God has for you, carry that love to all those you around you.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT) 

A Prayer of Thanks:

Dear Father, thank you for your steadfast love, and for pursuing each one of us when we were far from You. Thank you for bringing us into your sheep fold. Help us to now love others with the same steadfast love You have shown us. Amen.

A book giveaway for Valentine’s Day!

I really enjoyed this book - Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle.

(A historical fiction novel that is based on the story of the Christian martyr Valentine, who was captured and killed in Rome for performing secret Christian marriages.)

If you comment on the blog that you would like the book, and send me an email, I’ll draw a name from that list on Valentine’s Day, and mail you the book!