Lest you think I'm completely off my rocker (where did that phrase come from anyway??), allow me to explain:
To explain further, it has often been said in ancient times that shepherds dealt with sheep who habitually ran away by breaking a leg and carrying them everywhere. Many speculate that the good shepherd in this parable probably did something similar for his wandering lamb.
Today I am praying for broken legs. Not mine - though the Lord knows I often need them. I can only hope my friend will forgive me for this prayer (you know who you are, I love you both, and this is the prayer God is leading me to but I am truly sorry if it hurts you). I'm not sure it is something she'd want me praying right now. If I were in her shoes I wouldn't want it, but it is my prayer none-the-less.
I'm praying for broken legs - and yes, literally if that is what it takes.
Someone who matters to me, and is loved by other someones who matter to me, is more than a little bit lost right now. It seems as though she's been wandering a bit for quite some time, but this is worse than it has been. I don't know that it is enough that the Lord brings her back. I think she needs to be broken.
There have been many times in my life where I've run off from God over and over again. Gently and lovingly the Spirit would lead me back, only to watch me run away again. At some point the Lord had to reach down and break my legs; He had to cripple me until I learned to trust Him enough to stay.
While part of me wouldn't wish brokenness on anyone, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that those broken-legged times were the best that could have happened to me. It is better to be crippled and carried than it is to be running away. I could probably use a bit of brokenness myself right now.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the times you have broken me in order to bring me home. Thank you for keeping Your promise to be faithful even when we are not. Thank you for doing what it takes to keep us safe, even when it hurts. Lord, I wish this prodigal lamb would come back on her own. I wish she would come back to the arms of those who love her - but Lord, if she won't, please carry her back in Yours.
Amen.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-6)
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his
shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and
says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
To explain further, it has often been said in ancient times that shepherds dealt with sheep who habitually ran away by breaking a leg and carrying them everywhere. Many speculate that the good shepherd in this parable probably did something similar for his wandering lamb.
Today I am praying for broken legs. Not mine - though the Lord knows I often need them. I can only hope my friend will forgive me for this prayer (you know who you are, I love you both, and this is the prayer God is leading me to but I am truly sorry if it hurts you). I'm not sure it is something she'd want me praying right now. If I were in her shoes I wouldn't want it, but it is my prayer none-the-less.
I'm praying for broken legs - and yes, literally if that is what it takes.
Someone who matters to me, and is loved by other someones who matter to me, is more than a little bit lost right now. It seems as though she's been wandering a bit for quite some time, but this is worse than it has been. I don't know that it is enough that the Lord brings her back. I think she needs to be broken.
There have been many times in my life where I've run off from God over and over again. Gently and lovingly the Spirit would lead me back, only to watch me run away again. At some point the Lord had to reach down and break my legs; He had to cripple me until I learned to trust Him enough to stay.
While part of me wouldn't wish brokenness on anyone, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that those broken-legged times were the best that could have happened to me. It is better to be crippled and carried than it is to be running away. I could probably use a bit of brokenness myself right now.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the times you have broken me in order to bring me home. Thank you for keeping Your promise to be faithful even when we are not. Thank you for doing what it takes to keep us safe, even when it hurts. Lord, I wish this prodigal lamb would come back on her own. I wish she would come back to the arms of those who love her - but Lord, if she won't, please carry her back in Yours.
Amen.
5 comments:
Thank you for the prayer. It is a good prayer.
Being very emotional last night when I read your post, I struggled with how to respond. What I was trying to say is that I totally agree with and appreciate your prayer. It is a prayer I would ask for my little lost lamb.
God has proven over and over that He is always faithful, even when I doubt, even when I fear. I know well that God will use anything for His purpose, even if I don't see it, even if it is painful. I will trust in Him.
I am praying as you are for broken legs.
You don't know me but we are all members of the same family of God. I too am praying for broken bones and trust that God has her in the palm of his hand and knows her future. May we all be blessed as we watch the miracle in her life.
We have to go through the fire to be refined. Your prayer is exactly what your friend needs right now, even if it isn't clear to her.
Xandra
You are a good friend, Bethany. A very good friend.
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