Faithfulservant
Well-Known Member
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Shepherd loved His little lamb,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And gave it His tender care...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And followed it with His loving eyes[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As it wandered here and there.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And as He sat by His grazing flock[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Who so meekly His voice obeyed,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He pondered sadly His little lamb[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As again and again it strayed.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The little lamb had a loving heart,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And adored His Shepherd, true,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But would turn aside and seek his own way[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As lambs will so often do.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With His gentle voice the Shepherd called,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To His loved and straying lamb,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"Come back, little one, for you are not safe[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Unless you are where I am."[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But still the lamb would soon forget[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And unthinkingly wander away,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And not really noticing what he did,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From the Shepherd's side would stray.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Until one day, the Shepherd kind[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Took His rod in His gentle hand,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And what He then did seemed so cruel[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That the lamb could not understand.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For with one sharp and well-aimed blow[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Down the rod so swiftly came[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That it broke the leg of the little lamb[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And left it crippled, and lame.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then the little lamb, with a cry of pain,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fell down upon his knees...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And looked up at his Shepherd, as though to say,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"Won't you explain this, please?"[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then he saw the love in the Shepherd's eyes[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As the tears ran down His face,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As He tenderly set the broken bone,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And bound it back in it's place.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Now he was utterly helpless,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He could not even stand![/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He must trust himself completely[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To his Shepherd's loving hand.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then day by day, 'till the lamb was healed[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From the flock he was kept apart...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And carried about in the Shepherd's arms,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And cradled near to His heart.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And the Shepherd would whisper gentle words[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Into his now listening ear...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thus he heard sweet words of love[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That the other sheep could not hear.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He felt the warmth of the Shepherd's arms[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And the beat of His faithful heart...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Until it came a blessing to seem,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By his weakness to be set apart.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Every need of the little lamb[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By his Shepherd so fully was met[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That through his brokenness he learned[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What he never again would forget.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And as the broken bone was healed,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And once more became whole and strong...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Wherever the Shepherd's path would lead,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The lamb would follow along.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thus at the Shepherd's side he walked[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]So closely, day by day,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For once a lamb has a broken leg[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It will never again go astray.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For the cords of love had bound it so[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In its hour of weakness and need...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That it had no desire to wander away,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When once again it was freed.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Could it be you are broken today,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And you cannot understand[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The painful blow of the Shepherd's rod[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nor believe it came from His hand?[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He only seeks, by this painful thing,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For a time to call you apart...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To cradle you close in His loving arms,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And draw you near to His heart.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]So look up into your Shepherd's eyes,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And earnestly seek His face...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And prove in the hour of your weakness and need[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The sufficiency of His grace.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For as you are borne in His loving arms,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And carried there, day by day...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He will bind you so close with the cords of His love[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That never again will you stray![/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]-author unknown [/size][/font]
This touched me because I find myself looking at periods in my life where I was that straying lamb.
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And gave it His tender care...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And followed it with His loving eyes[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As it wandered here and there.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And as He sat by His grazing flock[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Who so meekly His voice obeyed,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He pondered sadly His little lamb[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As again and again it strayed.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The little lamb had a loving heart,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And adored His Shepherd, true,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But would turn aside and seek his own way[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As lambs will so often do.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With His gentle voice the Shepherd called,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To His loved and straying lamb,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"Come back, little one, for you are not safe[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Unless you are where I am."[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But still the lamb would soon forget[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And unthinkingly wander away,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And not really noticing what he did,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From the Shepherd's side would stray.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Until one day, the Shepherd kind[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Took His rod in His gentle hand,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And what He then did seemed so cruel[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That the lamb could not understand.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For with one sharp and well-aimed blow[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Down the rod so swiftly came[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That it broke the leg of the little lamb[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And left it crippled, and lame.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then the little lamb, with a cry of pain,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fell down upon his knees...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And looked up at his Shepherd, as though to say,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"Won't you explain this, please?"[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then he saw the love in the Shepherd's eyes[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As the tears ran down His face,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As He tenderly set the broken bone,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And bound it back in it's place.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Now he was utterly helpless,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He could not even stand![/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He must trust himself completely[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To his Shepherd's loving hand.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then day by day, 'till the lamb was healed[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From the flock he was kept apart...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And carried about in the Shepherd's arms,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And cradled near to His heart.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And the Shepherd would whisper gentle words[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Into his now listening ear...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thus he heard sweet words of love[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That the other sheep could not hear.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He felt the warmth of the Shepherd's arms[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And the beat of His faithful heart...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Until it came a blessing to seem,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By his weakness to be set apart.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Every need of the little lamb[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By his Shepherd so fully was met[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That through his brokenness he learned[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What he never again would forget.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And as the broken bone was healed,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And once more became whole and strong...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Wherever the Shepherd's path would lead,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The lamb would follow along.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thus at the Shepherd's side he walked[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]So closely, day by day,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For once a lamb has a broken leg[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It will never again go astray.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For the cords of love had bound it so[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In its hour of weakness and need...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That it had no desire to wander away,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When once again it was freed.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Could it be you are broken today,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And you cannot understand[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The painful blow of the Shepherd's rod[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nor believe it came from His hand?[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He only seeks, by this painful thing,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For a time to call you apart...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To cradle you close in His loving arms,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And draw you near to His heart.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]So look up into your Shepherd's eyes,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And earnestly seek His face...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And prove in the hour of your weakness and need[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The sufficiency of His grace.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For as you are borne in His loving arms,[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And carried there, day by day...[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He will bind you so close with the cords of His love[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]That never again will you stray![/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]-author unknown [/size][/font]
This touched me because I find myself looking at periods in my life where I was that straying lamb.
