Stories

Ethan finally got a new "big boy" bed this week. He has been in his crib day bed for about a year, and his slacker parents thought it was time for him to move up in the world. He got a nice new full size bed!!! He is excited, but at times a little worried about sleeping in it! He had to cry himself to sleep last night...I had read him 3 books and Matt had read him 3 more, but yet he didn't want us to leave. Oh well...he cried for about 5 minutes and then went to sleep. He even slept through the night. I woke up at 8:40a to him calling "Mommy...mommy??? Daddy...Daddy???" This is what he has done every day since he could talk. He does not get out of his bed unless you come get him. :)

As I was reading Ethan a book last night I ran across a great book called "The Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado. I gave this book to some of the Purdue kids for Christmas one year. I hope that you are reading it this year. For those of you who don't have it...here it is...

The Crippled Lamb

Once upon a time there lived a little lamb named Joshua. He was white with black spots, and black feet, and...sad eyes. Josh felt sad when he saw the other lambs running and jumping, because he couldn't.

Josh had been born with one leg that didn't work right. He always limped when he walked.

When he watched the other lambs run an play, Josh felt sad and alone--except when Abigail was around. Abigail was Josh's best friend. She was an old cow, and her voice as always kind and friendly.

Some of Josh's favorite hours were spend with Abigail.

She would spend hours with Josh, telling him stories. When Josh got sad because he could not run or jump and play in the grass, Abigail would say, "Don't be sad, little Joshua. God has a special place for those who feel left out."

Josh wanted to believe her. But it was hard. Some days he just felt alone.

Then one day the shepherds decide to take the lambs to the next valley where there was more grass. All the sheep were excited.

Josh hobbled over and took his place on the edge of the group, but the others stared laughing at him.

"Go back, Slowpoke. We'll never get there if we have to wait on you!"

"Go back, Joshua."

Then he heard the shepherd's voice, "they are right, little Joshua. You better go back. This trip is too long for you. Go and spend the night in the stable."

Joshua turned slowly and began liming away.

Never before had Joshua felt so left out. A big tear slipped out of his eye, rolled down his nose, and fell on a rock.

"Don't be sad, little Joshua," said Abigail. "God has a special place for those who feel left out." The two friends walked to the stable together.

After eating some hay, Joshua lay down on some straw and closed his eyes. Abagail came and rested beside him. Josh was glad to have Abigail as a friend.

Soon Josh was asleep. He dreamed of running and jumping just like the other sheep. He dreamed of being in a place where he never felt left out.

Suddenly, strange noises woke him up. "Abigail," he whispered, "wake up. I'm scared. Somebody is in here."

They looked across the dimly lighted stable. Josh and Abigail were surprised to see a baby lying on some fresh hay in the deed box. The baby's mother was resting on a big pile of hay beside the feed box.

Josh limped across the stable. He stopped next to the mother and looked into the baby's face. The baby was crying. He was cold. The woman picked up the baby and put him on the hay next to her.

Josh looked around for something to keep the baby warm.

The Josh remember his own soft, warm wool. Timidly, he walked over and curled up close to the baby.

"Thank you, little lamb," the baby's mother said softly.

Soon the little child stopped crying. About that time, a man entered the stable carrying some rags to cover the baby. "look, Joseph, this little lamb has kept the new king warm."

A king? Joshua wondered who the baby might be. "The baby's name is Jesus. he is the God's Son. He came from heaven to teach us about God," the mother said.

Just then there was another noise at the door. It was the shepherds--the ones who had left Joshua behind.

"We saw a bright light and heard the angels..." they began. Then they saw Joshua next to the baby. "Joshua! Do you know who this baby is?"

The young mother smiled. "God has heard your prayer, little lamb. This baby is the answer."

Somehow Joshua knew this was a special child, and this was a special moment.

He also understood why he had been born with a crippled leg. Had he been like the other sheep, he would have been away in the valley. But since he was different, he was in the stable, among the first to welcome Jesus into the world.

Joshua turned and walked back to Abigail and took his place beside his friend. "You were right," he told her. "God does have a special place for me."


Most of you know my STONG compassion for the disabled. I spend most of my days giving voices to the "crippled lambs" of todays world. My prayer to all of you that read this is that you open your hearts to the less fortunate in 2008 and that you also let their voices be heard....as God does have a special place for them!!!