Carried Close To His Heart

Collections.
Sometimes you choose the collection you want to begin.
Sometimes the collection chooses you.

The most obvious collection in my house is books!
They are resting in twelve bookcases in various rooms.
That collection chose me.

We are house of readers.
When the children were little, reading together was our favorite pastime.
My mother used to say…you always have a friend when you have a book.
If that is indeed true, then friends abound in our house!

The second collection chose me as well.
Willow Tree angels and figures.
I received my first one as a gift.
I loved the way the simple expressions captured so much.
The tilt of the head…the position of an arm.

As my collection grew, I decided that I would like to have the Nativity set.
I actually bought it in sections and took my time to acquire the whole thing.
At that time, the nativity set had just been released.

The Peace on Earth figure that was displayed with the Nativity set was unique.
A simple green dress…holding a lamb close to her heart.
She was on a pedestal which made her a bit higher than the rest of the figures.

She still sits on that same pedestal.
I keep that Nativity set out all through the year.
I love the reminder: God came down and wrapped Himself in flesh as a helpless baby.

I received the same Peace on Earth figure as a gift from a dear friend.
Apart from the Nativity, it took on a different meaning.

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him and His recompense accompanies him. He tends the flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those who have young. (Isaiah 40:10,11)

When I see the lamb so close to her heart, I tenderly think of Jesus.

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.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous person who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:3-7)

A friend reminded me of this verse just yesterday.

I looked over at my Peace on Earth figure…and remembered.

We are the lost lamb.
We are the one the Lord Jesus goes after to bring home.
We are the one He carries close to His heart.

We are fragile.
We are lost.
We can do nothing for ourselves.

That is the state we are in when He finds us.

We understand this by watching our own children.
When they disobey, or when they stray, we think of all the things we will say to them.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is hold them…close to our hearts.

Lost-ness is not remedied with words.
Lost-ness is remedied with compassion.

Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

I am so thankful that He found me.
There is not one of us who can claim that we are not lost!
Only the self-righteous think they are beyond lost-ness.

If you refuse to think you are lost…you never will be found!
You have no need for a remedy…if you don’t think you have an affliction.

When you know you are lost…stand still!
No more running.
No more excuses.
No more hiding.

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:13,14)

Stand still.
He will find you.
He will lift you up and carry you on His shoulders…close to His heart.
He will bring you home.

The remedy for our lost condition is our Lord Jesus.
Our shepherd.
We would never find the way home without Him.
HE is the way!