Monday, September 23, 2019

THE BUMMER LAMB


(This story was written by Pamela Hiscocks, a young woman who lived courageously despite her disabilities.)
“The Bummer Lamb”
            “Every once in awhile, 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 push or 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. Its spirit is broken. 
            These lambs are called “Bummer Lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected all 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’s 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 [Jesus] 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.” 
            Pamela Hiscocks died at age 39 in January, 2017, and her obituary said she loved and cared for animals, as well as her friends and family, with a great heart, and she inspired people with her passionate spirit to celebrate the joys and adventures of life. Pamela was of First Nations descent, Canadians who often live just below the Arctic Circle. Some are known as Inuit, others as Metis. I first thought of re-writing her article, but decided to send it to you just as she wrote it.
            In God’s Holy Word, Jesus told us, “I am the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep… I know my own and my own know me.” (John 10:11,14) Let us give thanks that the Good Shepherd cares for us, loving us, holding us to His heart, feeding us and giving us life when others would not.

Thank You, Jesus, for not rejecting us, no matter how “able” we are.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I am Pamela Hiscocks. I posted The Bummer Lamb years ago but I am still alive. You have mixed me up some other Pamela Hiscocks