Week 42: The Only Shepherd (April 22, 2019)

"Every once and a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal 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 its neck. Their spirit is broken. These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does? He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keep it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the bummer can hear his heartbeat.

Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock. But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first? That is right, the bummer sheep. He knows his voice intimately. It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it. It's not that it is loved more, it just believes it because it has experienced that love one on one.

So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But He is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heart beat. We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd."

-Author Sheila Walsh

Jesus Christ came, established His gospel, suffered and died, for you and I, and lives again. He is the shepherd that takes us in when we are lonely, scared, and even rejected. Because He is rejected, every day. And He has felt what you feel, in every single way. Celebrating Easter this week was extra special this week.... Between delivering Easter gifts to those we are teaching and the good teaching opportunities it brought, it was pretty special. 

But not just for those reasons... It was extra special because this week was extra difficult for us. It was busy, between exchanges out of town and different events, we had lots going on. But then, at the same time, we didn't. Only one lesson we had this week, did not cancel. We went from having about 20-25 lessons this week, to only 1. It was discouraging. But, I learned a lot....

I learned how to even better, look for the Lord. In all of the little tender mercies we received each day. I walked more than I have since my first few transfers, I got sunburned and tired, but it was still really good. I can't complain, because it is nothing to what others may experience. It is nothing compared to what Jesus Christ, had to experience. He had to experience so much more than I ever will. And for that, I am beyond grateful. 

I am happy and healthy, loving Montana, and all the people it contains. I know my Savior lives, and will always love me till then end. And He loves you. Allow Him to help you lift your head, and look for the little miracles in the journey. It is a winding road, but at least it can always go uphill with Him. 

Sister Walstad