Lambs on the Lam

When she was 4 and I was 3, my next-door neighbor led me off on an "adventure." I wasn't really sure we should go, but she assured me it would be fun, and that she would hold my hand. Off we went. The alley behind our houses led us out to a fairly busy street, which we crossed and then headed off even further. Soon we came upon a small, brick structure with a heavy, metal door. Being "well-read" we knew this could only be the Little Pig's house. Listening at the door there was a deep, heavy rumbling inside - the wolf! Boy, we scattered and ran! (Years later I learned that it was a small pumping station of some kind.) We then made our way back along the edge of that busy road -with no sidewalks. By now I was fairly frightened and said I wanted to go home, but she said, "Oh, come on," held my hand, and tugged me along. When this thoroughfare intersected with the main entrance to our neighborhood we "turned in." Very hilly and heavily wooded, we now headed for a small lake and park just a block or so away. It was the fall of the year, even so, "adventuring" can be hot work, so my friend took her jacket off and threw it in the lake, just to see if it would float or sink. It floated! On the hill above we heard someone coming. Oh, oh! Better hide! But when I heard her mother's plaintive calling, I thought we should give up. "No," she said, and held my hand - tighter. When her little jacket was found and fished from the lake, it was feared we had drowned. More people came to call and look. Now I really thought we should "break cover," but she said we were in BIG trouble and held me with both hands. Finally, we "lost" in what had become a grand-sized game of hide-and seek. My mother found us nestled in the fall leaves. Gosh, everyone was glad to see us - at first. Then it began to look like we were going to have to pay dearly for this "misadventure." Her mother said she was going to get a beating, and that I should also be "whipped." For major infractions our father was the dispenser of justice, and this fell well within that category. While I waited for Daddy to get home, I tearfully began my own litany, sort of a first effort at chanting, "I don't want to be whipped, and I don't want to be punished." "I don't want to be whipped, and I don't want to be punished." Over, and over, and over again. My father did not whip me or punish me. In some ways it was far worse. He talked to me. Very quietly and gently I was led to understand what others had suffered on my account. It was a very long time before I went "awandering" again. And never again did I entrust "my hand" to hers.

Matthew 24.4 - Take heed that no one leads you astray.

Psalm 119.176 - I have gone astray like a lost sheep.

Matthew 18.12-14 - If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the 99 on the hill and go in search of the one that went astray.

Isaiah 40.11 - He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

Ezekiel 34.16 - I will seek my lost ones, those who strayed away, and bring them safely home again.

Galatians 6.1 - If one of you misbehaves, the more spiritual of you who set him right should do so in a spirit of gentleness.

Hebrews 12.5,10-11 - Have you quite forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his child? He said, "My son, don't be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don't be discouraged when he has to show you where you are wrong." Our earthly fathers trained us for a few brief years, doing the best for us that they knew how, but God's correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share his holiness. Being punished isn't enjoyable while it is happening! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.