Seeking The Lost

Matthew 18:12-14 – What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. (NIV)

My West Highland White Terrier, Ben Nevis, spent the first years of his life testing the meaning of the word "come". Cats, foxes, people were playmates to be chased. Woods and lakes were playgrounds to be explored.

Perhaps the day I realized just how much I cared for my four-legged friend was the time I called for him to come, and he didn't answer. A winter snowstorm and nightfall were fast approaching, but a sinking feeling hit me in the pit of my stomach when I noticed the broken chain. I called, "Ben, come!" But the furry white dog with one ear up and one ear down stayed out of sight. My love for my pet sent me outside in the storm to hunt for him.

"Ruff!" My attention was drawn to two coal-black stones on the beach that were not yet covered by the falling snow. Suddenly I knew: these were not stones; they were eyes, Ben's eyes. As fast as the slippery rocks along the shore allowed me, I made my way to my pet.

The joy I experienced when I lifted the wayward animal into my arms and brought him to the safety and warmth of our home reminded me of today's lesson in the Bible. Jesus taught that our heavenly Father loves us so much that He would hunt until he found us. He wants every one of us to be safely in His care.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your tender care. Amen.