The morning sun was climbing over the hilltop, sending its golden rays across the stubble fields and into the shadowy canyons. The children were up early, eager to have breakfast and be off to play with the new lamb.
Suddenly, a shout brought everyone to the window— “Betsy’s gone! There she goes running up the hill towards the canyon!” Sure enough, we could see the little white lamb frisking up the hillside, enjoying the fresh, morning air, completely unaware that she was heading for danger—for the canyon was where the coyotes lived!
Now this little lamb was an orphan, just a few weeks old, and was being taken to a new home about 700 miles away. The family had stopped overnight at a friend’s farm where Betsy was carefully penned up for the night. Now, she had somehow gotten out, and being just a baby lamb she wanted to run and play. Poor little lamb, she would soon get lost in the canyon not having a shepherd to guide her, since sheep get lost so easily if they are left alone.
Breakfast was forgotten as coats and boots were quickly put on, and two daddies and a trail of children started across the fields and up the hillside.
The children worried about what might happen to their little runaway lamb if she wasn’t found. On through the stubble fields and up the rocky canyon, they picked their way stopping at times to call, “Here, Betsy; come, Betsy.” But there was no answering “baaa"— only the sound of the wind.
“Here, little lamb, come here.”
Then there was a shout as one of the children caught sight of the lamb. “There she is!” But Betsy, not knowing that she was lost, did not care about being found, so off she scrambled over the rocks...poor, little wayward lamb. However, baby lambs soon get tired, and it was not long before one of the daddies overtook Betsy, and what do you think he did? Why, he just did what a loving shepherd would do—he lifted her carefully up onto his shoulders where she was safe and could rest. Betsy lay quietly, feeling quite safe and secure, and perhaps feeling very tired, too.
In the Bible we read about a shepherd who lost one sheep and left all the others to go look for that one sheep. When he found it, he laid it on his shoulders and carried it home. Then he called all his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him that he had found his sheep that was lost. The Lord Jesus is that kind and loving Shepherd. He has bought every one of His sheep with His own precious blood by dying on the cross for their sins. He will carry all of His lambs safely home to heaven. Will you trust Him and be one of His lambs?
Betsy lay quietly as she was carried home, and the children were glad as they skipped along, so happy to have found their little lost lamb. I’m sure that when they got home their mothers heard all about it and were glad with them, too.
Can you say with the Psalmist David, “The Lord is my shepherd... He leadeth me"?
Like a little wand’ring lamb,
Lost upon the hills I am;
Like a shepherd Jesus stands,
Holding out His blessed hands.
“Come,” He says, “Come back to Me;
Little lamb, I died for thee;
I will take thee to My home,
Little lamb, I pray thee, come.”
ML-02/27/1983