December 29th, 2025
By: Gabi Pope
A few weekends ago, my family and some friends went to a Christmas light show. After we finished walking through all the lights, we noticed a small petting zoo and decided to stop. If you know Anaya Grace, you already know why… she loves animals of any kind. Big or small, it doesn’t matter!!!
The first stall we walked up to had sheep, and right there was a brand-new baby lamb. It was tiny, shaky, and so sweet and precious. I stood there longer than I meant to, just watching it. God has a way of speaking in the simplest moments.
After a few minutes, the mama sheep wandered a little too far away. Almost right away, the lamb started crying out for her. Loud and nonstop. It didn’t try to follow her on its own. It didn’t stay quiet and hope she noticed. It cried because it knew exactly who it needed.
That moment hit my heart!!
The Bible says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). We don’t usually wander on purpose. It happens slowly. Life gets busy, we get tired, or maybe we get hurt. We start depending on ourselves instead of God. Before we realize it, we feel far from Him and feel like He isn’t with us anymore.
But Jesus tells us, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Just like that lamb knew its mama, we are meant to know our Shepherd’s voice. And even when we wander, He doesn’t stop watching us!
What stood out to me most was how quickly the lamb cried out. There was no fear, no shame, no wondering if it was being a bother. It just cried out!
So many of us don’t do that. We feel like we have to have the right words. Or we think we’ve messed up too much. Sometimes we tell ourselves we’ll come back to God once we “get it together.” But Scripture says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). He isn’t waiting for perfection, friend, He’s waiting for us.
Jesus even told a story about a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to go after the one that wandered off (Luke 15:4–6). That’s how much He cares about you and I. That’s how far He will go, He doesn’t give up on the one who drifts away from Him— He goes looking!
Eventually, the mama sheep came back to the lamb and the crying stopped. Peace had returned to the precious lamb's mind and heart.
That’s what happens when we cry out to God. “Call to me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). He hears us, He comes close and He gently reminds us that we are not alone.
Maybe today you feel like that lamb—small, unsure, and aware that you’ve wandered. Take comfort in this: “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). Cry out to Him, He’s listening just like that mama sheep. He’s always faithful to come near!!!!
A few weekends ago, my family and some friends went to a Christmas light show. After we finished walking through all the lights, we noticed a small petting zoo and decided to stop. If you know Anaya Grace, you already know why… she loves animals of any kind. Big or small, it doesn’t matter!!!
The first stall we walked up to had sheep, and right there was a brand-new baby lamb. It was tiny, shaky, and so sweet and precious. I stood there longer than I meant to, just watching it. God has a way of speaking in the simplest moments.
After a few minutes, the mama sheep wandered a little too far away. Almost right away, the lamb started crying out for her. Loud and nonstop. It didn’t try to follow her on its own. It didn’t stay quiet and hope she noticed. It cried because it knew exactly who it needed.
That moment hit my heart!!
The Bible says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). We don’t usually wander on purpose. It happens slowly. Life gets busy, we get tired, or maybe we get hurt. We start depending on ourselves instead of God. Before we realize it, we feel far from Him and feel like He isn’t with us anymore.
But Jesus tells us, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Just like that lamb knew its mama, we are meant to know our Shepherd’s voice. And even when we wander, He doesn’t stop watching us!
What stood out to me most was how quickly the lamb cried out. There was no fear, no shame, no wondering if it was being a bother. It just cried out!
So many of us don’t do that. We feel like we have to have the right words. Or we think we’ve messed up too much. Sometimes we tell ourselves we’ll come back to God once we “get it together.” But Scripture says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). He isn’t waiting for perfection, friend, He’s waiting for us.
Jesus even told a story about a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to go after the one that wandered off (Luke 15:4–6). That’s how much He cares about you and I. That’s how far He will go, He doesn’t give up on the one who drifts away from Him— He goes looking!
Eventually, the mama sheep came back to the lamb and the crying stopped. Peace had returned to the precious lamb's mind and heart.
That’s what happens when we cry out to God. “Call to me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). He hears us, He comes close and He gently reminds us that we are not alone.
Maybe today you feel like that lamb—small, unsure, and aware that you’ve wandered. Take comfort in this: “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). Cry out to Him, He’s listening just like that mama sheep. He’s always faithful to come near!!!!
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