Month: March 2016

Arnold’s Story

We’re finally going to get the scoop on Arnold! Let’s listen as he tells his story!
“One day after I had left the nest and was on my own, I landed on a branch at the top of a tree to rest and to scan the area for prey. A strong gust of wind seemed to come out of nowhere. I was caught off guard. The branch I was perched on broke from the force of the wind and I fell to the ground. As I lay on the ground in pain (my wing was broken), I saw this man coming toward me. I was sure he would kill me for my feathers. After all, I couldn’t fly and get away. He approached. I braced myself for the death blow. It didn’t come. He spoke gently to me. Then he carefully scooped me up and took me home where he cared for me until my wing healed.”
So, Arnold, you’re saying this man saved your life?
“Yes, he saved my life!”
Well, who was he?
“The shepherd.”
You mean, Little One’s shepherd?
“Yes, Little One’s shepherd. That’s how Little One and I met and became friends.”
And so, you don’t harm any of the shepherd’s flock because…
“Because I owe my life to the shepherd. I can never repay him for saving my life. Helping him care for his flock is the only way I can possibly thank him.”
So you are almost an assistant shepherd, right, Arnold?
“I wouldn’t call myself that. I simply serve the shepherd any way I possibly can.”
Does that mean you know where Little One and the rest of the flock are and why their shepherd moved them?
“Yes. I spotted a pack of wolves near the pasture one day. I was able to warn the shepherd of the wolves’ presence and he moved his flock to a pasture where they would be safe.”
Will they ever return? I miss Little One!
“Once the wolves move on, I will let the shepherd know it is safe for the flock to return. Then he will decide when and if to bring them back.”
When will the wolves move on?
“It is hard to say, but I do not think it will be much longer.”
What if the shepherd decides not to bring the flock back here? I might never see Little One again!
“Let’s wait and see what the shepherd decides. He knows what is best for his flock.”
Thanks, Arnold. I hope Little One and the flock return soon.
Dear woman friend reading this, which character in today’s post do you identify with? Do you identify with the speaker? Has someone you love gone and you’re wondering when and if you’ll ever see them again?
Do you identify with the shepherd? Have you ever had to move, literally or figuratively, to get those you love and are responsible for out of danger?
As I write this, I am trying to paint Arnold as myself. And not just as myself but as all of those who have placed their trust in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as their Savior. The shepherd saved Arnold’s physical life. Jesus will save spiritually all those who trust Him to do so. In gratitude, Arnold now spends his life serving the shepherd. In gratitude, we who have trusted Jesus need to spend our lives in His service.
What about you? What about me? Jesus saved me from the penalty of my sin and I need to, out of gratitude, spend the rest of my life serving Him. Has He saved you from the penalty of your sin? Are you serving Him out of gratitude?

Who is Arnold?

I miss Little One. I wonder when his shepherd will be bringing the flock back to this pasture. I wonder if he will ever bring his flock back to this pasture.

Hi, Arnold. How are you? Do you miss Little One, too? Do you wonder when or if he will come back to this pasture?

Arnold, how did you and Little One become friends? No one would expect a lamb and an eagle to be friends. How did it happen? Please tell me the story!

Do I know what a raptor is? Yes, Arnold. Eagles, hawks, falcons and other similar birds are called raptors. You’re a raptor.

Have I ever heard of raptor rescue? I assume that’s some kind of organization that rescues injured raptors, gives them needed medical care and then releases them back into the wild.

You were one of those injured raptors? Did an organization rescue you and nurse you back to health? The shepherd did? How? He has a flock of sheep to take care of. And you could have grown up to harm his lambs. Why would he do that?

An Empty Pasture?

Little One! Where are you? That’s strange! The pasture is empty. I don’t see Little One or the rest of the flock or the shepherd. Where did they all go?

Oh, hi, Arnold. Arnold, do you happen to know where Little One and the rest of the flock went? They went to another pasture? You mean…I won’t be seeing Little One anymore? What did you say, Arnold? Sometimes shepherds move their flocks to different pastures for a short time before bringing them back? Why would the shepherd do that?

Maybe because a pack of wolves has been seen in the area and the shepherd wants to protect his flock? Maybe it’s poisonous berry or poisonous mushroom season and the shepherd doesn’t want the sheep to eat something that would hurt them?

Well, how long will they be gone? Until the shepherd’s purpose for moving them is accomplished? How long will that take? It depends on the purpose?

Well, Arnold, thanks for the information. I hope I’ll see Little One again soon.

Dear woman friend reading this, has your Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, taken you to another pasture recently? A job change? A move? A change in the makeup of your household? Do you wonder why?

I’m not God and can’t tell you why He made or permitted the change in your life. But as Arnold explained, it is for your benefit, even though you might not be able to see the benefit now. When will you see the benefit? That’s within God’s power to choose. I can’t promise you will ever know the reason. But like Little One has to trust his shepherd and go where he leads, we have to trust our Shepherd and go where He leads.

Just a word of caution: when your Shepherd is moving you to a different pasture, stay close to Him. You don’t want to get lost on the way.