The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 
 Psalm 23

On a scenic hillside sprinkled with wildflowers and bathed in the warmth of the morning sunlight, a little lamb was born. But something was terribly wrong; his mother nudged him once, then kicked him away. The poor little lamb cried and cried for her, but she had rejected him and would not change her mind. This little lamb was what shepherds call a bummer lamb. These lambs hang their heads so low it looks like something is wrong with their necks. Their spirit is broken. Without his mother’s milk or warmth, he would grow weak, cold, and die alone. 

But the shepherd saw him and, with his calloused hands and a heart full of compassion, the shepherd picked up the little lamb and tucked it inside his coat, next to his beating heart, and carried it home with him. 

There, the shepherd fed the lamb from a bottle and warmed him by the fire. He spoke gently and softly to him. Each day, he would carry the little lamb in his arms and keep him with him all day while he worked. As the lamb grew stronger, he was able to walk on his own, and one day, he would be returned to the field and the rest of the flock. But he never forgot how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd called for the flock, he knew the sound of that voice. He had learned that where the shepherd was, there was safety. He would be the first to come running, his head held high and eyes bright with trust. 

Sometimes we feel like bummer lambs, rejected and broken, but Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for all our needs and loves us deeply. He rescues us in our weakness, carries us close to His heart, and provides for all our needs. 

This week, let’s reflect on where we feel a lack in our life – physically, emotionally, spiritually? Let’s surrender all our needs to God. He is enough – even when we feel like we are not.