He Will Find What Is Lost…Even You Platter

Description

This product will be available to ship after July 14th.

Perhaps, like me, you’ve struggled from time to time to know what to say, how to connect, how to express love, or even to understand people who are different than yourself. In a social climate that seems ever-ready to lambast even innocently misspoken words or cancel those who are regarded as insensitive, we all tend to watch our words and retreat inward—saying nothing, doing nothing, attempting even to feel nothing. And in this retreat, so much is often lost as fear slips into the places where understanding might have grown.

One of my favorite scriptures comes from Paul in his second epistle to Timothy. 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 

Fear holds us back from opening our mouths, but maybe more importantly it holds us back from opening our hearts—from expressing and sharing our love—from seeking to understand—from looking beyond what is comfortable to a place of learning and growth. 

God, on the other hand, gives us the antidote to fear: Power, LOVE, and self-discipline. 

In leaving the flock to go after the one, the Good Shepherd brings the estranged sheep back to the fold—not only for the sake of the one, but also for the sake of the 99 who need to learn to love, accept and provide a place of belonging for all.

And I’m so grateful that he does, for though my fleece is not rainbow-colored, it’s a different shade than that of my peers. And if we truly saw each other the way God created us, we would quickly recognize that no two of us are alike, that our fleeces come in many shades and that our talents, temperaments and interests offer only more beautiful differences. 

I hope my art here might might open hearts. Christ invites us all to come home, to find a place among the sheep of his flock, to be numbered among His own, to accept and love those who are different than us. This is discipleship! With His perfect love and grace, He’ll sort out everything in the end and make each of us whole—even you! Our lives are better when we endeavor to love everyone. 

Please let us know if you want the rainbow sheep to be on the Good Shepherd’s shoulders or among the flock. Colors may vary slightly. A great gift for anyone with an LGTBQ family member or questions about how one should love those who so identify.