The Good Shepherd

 

How the children love our kitty! Kitty is very spoiled around here.

Danny and Hannah pile their toy horses on top of kitty which is on Danny's lap, who is on--

did you see what I see?

Jesus' lap!

 Ever wish you could just climb up and sit on Jesus' lap?

The way Hannah comes crying sometimes, and is comforted when I set her on my lap.

Or when she comes, just wakened from a nap, and is just sleepy

and bored and cranky--

and I lift her up and hug her.

Don't you sometimes wish you could just--

sit on His lap?

Thank You, Jesus, for the arms of the Good Shepherd.



Here is a knitting project the girls are doing right now--knitting baby hats and booties for a baby shower and for baby layettes for Christian Aid Ministries.

Thank You, Lord, for my mom who taught the girls to knit when she was here when our seventh baby was born. Thank You that you care about the little ones,

the seventh ones that some called a "mistake,"

the second ones (like me) that were the skinny runts of the family,

the emotional basket cases,

the broken and the weak and the ugly and the simple-minded,

the ones who make mistakes

and messes

and have to slog through depression like they have thick boots waterlogged in a bog

looking for joy--

and finding it in throws picturing the Good Shepherd behind little boys with kittens and toy horses,

and in soft, fuzzy booties and hats for babies--

maybe a baby that nobody wanted,

but that a mother chose to give life to.

Joy. You have to look for it.

And then you find it!