PICK OF THE LITTER

 

¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  (John 10:14-15 ESV)

     A young boy was passing by a pet shop's window when he noticed a new litter of eight puppies.  He watched them romp around and noticed one he knew was just the one for him.

     After checking with his mother he went to the pet shop to inquire about the price of a puppy. "Sir, my mother said I can have one of the puppies but I have to pay for it and take care of it. How much do they cost?" The storekeeper gave the boy the price. It was more than he had but he knew if he worked hard he could get enough. After handling the puppies in the shop he was sure he had made the right choice and started to leave. As he approached the door the storekeeper told him, "You better hurry back. Cute puppies like these go fast."

     The boy looked back and reassured the storekeeper, "Mine will still be here for me."

     After sweeping walks and cleaning debris from all his neighbor's yards he felt he had worked harder than he ever had in his life. At the end of the third day he counted his earnings and found he had enough for the puppy and even enough to buy some food and a collar.

     When he got to the pet shop there were only three puppies left in the window. Looking closely before he entered to be sure his special puppy was still there. He placed his money on the counter and the storekeeper told him to go pick out the one he wanted.

     The puppy the boy brought to the counter was not one the storekeeper thought the boy would pick.  The storekeeper tried to reason with the boy, "This is not the puppy you want. It has a lame leg. It will never be able to run with you or fetch a ball. I am sure you would be happier with one of the other puppies."

     No amount of reasoning seemed to dissuade him from his selection. The boy insisted this was the only puppy for him.  The storekeeper sold him the puppy, a collar and some food but warned him this puppy was going to take extra time and patience.

     The boy left the pet shop all smiles. Him and the puppy were both overflowing with excitement. Consumed with the happiness of being with each other the rest of the world was shut out.

     As they went out the door the storekeeper noticed something for the first time. There was something shiny at the bottom of one of the boy's pants legs, a brace.

     You or I may not be the pick of the litter but Jesus went to the trouble of earning the price for us at Calvary. No matter what our troubles are Jesus sees us through the eyes of a boy looking at his prize puppy.  Nothing but His love is seen. We are forgiven, the price has been paid.

     Want to learn more about this loving Jesus.  Worship this week and even try a Bible class.  Jesus is waiting for you to call on Him so pray and check His Word out today.

    

 

                                   Wess Mechler – Jesus is Alive!

1-Based on “The Boy Who Wanted a Crippled Puppy” -Author Unknown, as heard at a Promise Keepers Event.

ESV® - The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.