The Crippled Lamb

Year 5-Day 345: Today...I am grateful for the story of "The Crippled Lamb".

I was sharing this book with a young mom on Saturday. It is my all-time favorite Christmas Story. It is about a little lamb who has a crippled leg. His entire life he has felt left out, behind and less than perfect. He never seems to catch up and sometimes... he doesn't even get to go. 

One starry night, the shepherds are going to treat the animals to a night out in the field. Little crippled Joshua can't go. He is left behind... again. 

There is a older, mothering cow that senses Joshua's sorrow and comforts him as much as she can... but she can only do so much. Her heart hurts for him, as we hurt for our own children when they face struggles. 

That night, something happens that leave Joshua forever changed. That night, a young human mother delivers a very special child. The Christ-child... a king... and Joshua is there to see it. Not only that... when the baby is cold... Joshua's soft fur keeps the new King warm. If Joshua had been whole and unbroken by the standards of the herd, he would have been out in the valley and missed being there for Jesus birth. He would have been just like all the other sheep.  That night, what he had to offer was perfect. 

Never be discouraged to be "not like the others." Broken is a state of mind and heart. We have a God who is bigger than any physical brokenness. In fact, there are times he can used the broken to his glory in a mightier way than one who has never felt the struggle. 

What can you bring to the manger this Christmas? 

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. - Romans 12:1 (NLT)

All he really wants is our hearts... along with our mind, soul and our strength? It is a package deal. When we leave him our weaknesses and brokenness - he can turn it to his glory. Hands to service. Hearts to love. Souls to praise. Songs to sing. 

Today...I am grateful for the story of "The Crippled Lamb".