One Special Sheep

ONE SPECIAL SHEEP

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven”

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hill and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will be happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” Matthew 18:10-14

INTRODUCTION

Sheep and Lamb are two animals that feature on many occasions in the bible in a variety of stories. Indeed lamb plays a very important part of my everyday life too. No! I am not a Farmer or neither do I own any. Except the occasional one stored in my fridge for the weekend roast. I am quite partial to my Lamb and mince sauce.

Living in the countryside I often come across sheep, in fact in the Royal Forest of Dean where I live they are allowed to roam free. We have Shepherds called locally as “Badgers” who make a living off their flocks by allowing their animals to graze on common land. Often when I drive through the forest I get a glimpse of a flock sat under the trees. Sometimes they stray into the local villages and towns, causing a lot of mess on the pavements and roads. There are stories of folks coming home from work, to find all the flowers in the garden have been eaten by them, when the postman or some other callers forget to close the gates behind them. They are not always so popular.

During the early parts of the year the baby Lambs cause so much joy when they appear. It’s the first sign that spring is on the way and they do look kind of sweet leaping about the pastures.

ANGELS OF CHILDREN

Our text starts with this wonderful comforting line regarding Children. The lord tells us that these young ones all have Angels looking out for them. What a comforting thought for all parents to know this remarkable truth. It gets better.

They always (The Angels) see the face of the Father.

Now what could be a better thought than that?

Children have Angels who always look to God the Father for their inspiration.

Children are a gift from God and need the guidance of their parents to show them the way. We are there to encourage, teach and correct them. A balanced life style will hopefully lead them into becoming responsible Adults. However once they become a certain age they take responsibility for their own actions. I guess we can say that not all turn out to be ‘a perfect example’ because in reality we know that not to be true. Our job of being a Parent then changes from guidance to one of fall back love. That’s quite hard to accept. We do want to interfere some times in their choices but we have to understand that they are their choices right or wrong. The only thing we can hope for is some of the lessons they learn from us, influences their decision making process. One of the things mentioned as part of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4. Love is patient.

Pray for patients as a matter of course for yourself. You are going to need it. Once done them commit them to the Lord and let them go.

We are only in charge of them on a temporary basis.

Corinthians, Chapter 13 needs to be taken on board and try to love them through its unforgettable wisdom and advice.

SEARCHING FOR THE LOST

I wonder how many of you have gone on that trip to the sea side or picnic with the Children and let them have a bit of freedom. You are distracted for a moment and suddenly they are gone. Panic sets in. Firstly you call their name hoping for that familiar voice to say something.....but it does not come. The rest of the children are playing happily in the sand around about your feet but the one you have missed is nowhere to be seen. Oh yes we all have that one don’t we. You ask the remainder “Have you seen so and so?”

They are always ready to help with their response.

“No, he might of perhaps drowned or something” they helpfully reply, not breaking away from the sand castle they are busy constructing.

Sheer panic sets in and the first thing you do is appoint the eldest to look after the group around your feet whilst you set off in pursuit of the stray. You rush around not minding the other sand castle’s around that you crunch under foot whilst calling out his name. You discover the little mite with his new group of friends some yards away from your actual location and pick him up and cuddle and scold all in one go. So please are you to see him again.