If you’ve ever felt sad, misunderstood, isolated, beaten down, friendless, overcome by the world; felt like a failure; or felt like a loser when it comes to resisting temptation…you’re not alone.

But even if you were…

We belong to the Good Shepherd, who will leave his flock of 99 sheep to go rescue that one sheep who is all alone and has wandered away.  And, as in the parable he told in Luke 15, rejoices and celebrates when that lost sheep is found.

“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
Are they not enough for Thee?”
But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine
Has wandered away from Me.
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep.”

From the Poem The Ninety and Nine
By Elizabeth Clephane, 1868

Like a shepherd he takes care of his flock. He gathers the lambs in his arms. He carries them in his arms. He gently helps the sheep and their lambs.   Isaiah 40:11