Devotions for Kids: The Lost Sheep

Devotions for Kids is a series meant for sharing so that everyone - family and community - can spend time in God's Word together with the children in their lives and grow in faith.

"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?"

Luke 15:4

It's a crisp, sunny afternoon when you and your friends are gathered in your backyard for a giant game of hide and seek.  You decide that you are going to be the one searching for your hidden friends.  After all, you're basically an expert in all the secret hiding spots they could find in the trees and corners of your yard.  You close your eyes, count, and begin your search...

Some of your friends are easy to find because they are hiding in places where you can clearly see them.  You are not worried that they will wander away from you after they are found because they are your friends.  Other friends are a little more difficult to find because they have climbed into high branches or stooped low behind chairs, but after more seeking, you find them too.  You know that they are also safe.  Finally, the game is coming to an end and you only have one friend left to find, but as hard as you look, even in the places you think no one else knows about, you do not see them.  How do you feel?

You might start to wonder if they left the yard - maybe they got bored and decided to go home?  You might also start to worry about your friend - what if they were trying to find a hiding place and got hurt?  This is the time when you want to leave your other friends in the yard (they're safe after all), go inside to tell your family about the friend you can't find, and with your family's permission and help, go off in search of that friend.  

Why would you do this?  Because you love your friend, of course!  You want to know that they are safe and healthy.  After much searching, you find your friend, safe but hidden in a far away place, and you bring them back to the rest of your friends, grateful and joyful.

That's what Jesus is talking about in today's Gospel.  He loves each of us so much that if we wander away, He is going to come looking for us.  God never wants us to be in danger.  He never wants us to feel lost.  He never wants us to believe that when we come back, He will not be full of joy.  We are never out of God's sight, even when we feel like we need to hide away.  He will always come to find us, and He will always love us because He is the all time champ of hide and seek.

Let's pray:  God, sometimes I end up being too far away from you.  You promise that when that happens, You will love me and You will come searching for me.  Thank You for always finding me and bringing me back to You with joy and celebration in Your heart!  Amen.