Jenn’s Journey from Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Another week has passed.  I spent a few days away, in the mountains. There is something about being in nature's beauty that gives a new perspective. Every now and then, we need that. Thank you for joining me for a few minutes away from it all this morning!

There was once a man who had 100 sheep. His job was to shepherd these animals and watch over them. Each day he led them to pastures plentiful with grass, and to streams of cool water. He kept a watchful eye out for wolves who might hunt them. If a sheep was hurt, he bandaged the wound. Each evening he rounded them up and took them home, to shelter and safety. At the gate, he counted the sheep to make sure each one was back where it belonged. One night his count came up short by one. He counted again. Sure enough, only 99 had come home.

Of course, he was immediately concerned. He hurriedly locked up the 99 and went out, weary though he was, to search for the lost. Frightened cries led the shepherd to a ravine, and a mass of thorny bushes. Finally, the lamb was rescued, comforted, cleaned up and home safe with the other sheep.

As the story goes, the lamb had wandered away from the flock and ended up lost. Has this ever happened to you? Have you felt separated and lost from what is safe and familiar? Do you ever feel you are down in a ravine, trapped with no way out? I certainly have. Life has a way of doing that to us...sometimes by our own choices, and sometimes by way of others foisting their choices on us. Whatever the situation, it can seem hopeless and as if those thorny bushes are closing in.

I am here to tell you, it is not hopeless! There is Someone who notices that you or I have gone missing. He knows our stories…the good, the bad and the ugly. He is out looking for us and He wants to bring us home. He longs to bandage up our wounds and set us back on the right path. He has done this for me so many times. If you've ever been crying out, and a friend calls at the right time, or a touching song plays on the radio, inspiring words jump out at you from a book you are reading, or you just feel a comforting Presence, you've been found by the Shepherd.  He will treat and heal that which has wounded us. He does not leave us alone, or afraid.

The story above can be found in Luke 15:1-7. It's one of Jesus' parables. It is a beautiful story. Wherever you are today, may you be blessed, knowing He has found you!

Until next week,

Jenn