A word for the lambs

[moglow]

I've mentioned elsewhere - I've been struggling with the belief that I/we were not wanted by mother. She's recently admitted to one of my brothers that she never expected to have children [Daddy had childhood illness that caused doctors to question if he'd be able to father children], she wasn't prepared for it and went into marriage believing it just wasn't possible. She went as far aas to tell brother that if she'd known, she'd have protected herself. 'Cept she didn't, even after the first two - guess she had to cement her victim status? I suppose we now have somewhat of an explanation for her obvious resentments and at least some of her treatment of us over the years.

Anyhoo, older brother has made a few comments here and there, knows I've been struggling and trying to make sense of it all. Sunday was one of those days and I pretty much shut down, didn't talk with anyone [not really unusual for me on weekends, mainly so I can regroup for the week ahead, but it was a blue blue day]. Around 1030pm, I received a text from him with the following - he rarely texts, much less long after bedtime. So he *knew* and reached out.

Anyway, I just wanted to share and I hope this comforts some of you as well. 
Peace, friends.

***
What happens to a little lamb that is rejected by its mother, it will hang its head so low it looks as if the lamb is beyond depressed! Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are lots of reasons she may do this. If the shepherd tries to return the lamb, the mother might even kick the baby away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.

These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with their little necks. Their spirits are broken.

These lambs are called "bummer lambs."

Unless the shepherd intervenes, that little lamb will die - rejected and alone.

Do you know what the shepherd usually does?

The shepherd will take that rejected little lamb into their home, hand-feed it and keep it warm. They will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to their chest so the little lamb can hear their heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.

That sheep never forgets the shepherd's love and care when their mother rejected them. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess which sheep runs first? That sheep knows the shepherd's voice.

The bummer lamb isn't loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it. It trusts the shepherd because it has experienced love from the shepherd.

Many of us are bummer lambs. Rejected and broken. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat.

We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd who will never leave us.

~ Author Unknown

[bloomie]

Moglow - what perfect timing and beautiful imagery this evokes. Much needed this today! Thank you so very much for sharing and my hope is the loving gesture from your brother lifted you up!

[SonofThunder]

Amen on the good shepherd looking after His flock and Christ's focus on a precious ewe! (and me too!) that receives the gift of special attention. 😊

Thanks for sharing MoGlow.

SoT

[Marianne]

Thank you.

Sometimes I am so frightened that Jesus dislikes me as much as my parents and family did. So this brought warmth in my heart and tears in my eyes.

What a beautiful thing that your brother shared this with you. I really hope it helps you.

Thank you that you also shared it with us.

[SonofThunder]

Thank you.

Sometimes I am so frightened that Jesus dislikes me as much as my parents and family did. So this brought warmth in my heart and tears in my eyes.

What a beautiful thing that your brother shared this with you. I really hope it helps you.

Thank you that you also shared it with us.

Jesus the shepherd already laid down his life in the ultimate loving sacrificial protection for all the sheep who are willing to come under his flock-care.  Marianne, Jesus will never stop loving you and caring for you; more than any human ever will. 

Sure, another human may lay down their life for another, but they cant take their life back up again like Christ and be the eternal shepherd.  You are not ever disliked by Christ, but rather loved beyond human comprehension. 

Sure, we sheep may stray off, but Jesus the shepherd will track down that wandering one and bring it back to the fold.  Thats not "dislike" by the shepherd, but just a wandering sheep and a fiercely determined lover of lost (and found) sheep. 

"Bummer Lambs" as moglow wrote about, are Jesus' specialty!

SoT

[moglow]

His timing was perfect! I'm glad it touches y'all also - sometimes we all need that little something to boost us up a notch.