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Good evening, little lambs. Tonight's story is called The Baskets That Were Already Full, inspired by the Gospel of Matthew 10 7 15. Tonight's gospel tells us something warm and important. Once Jesus sent his very best friends out into the world to share his love, and he told them something surprising. Don't pack too much, don't worry about carrying enough, because whatever kindness and love has been given to you for free, you're meant to give it away freely too, trusting that God will provide just what's needed along the way. And so tonight we're back on Shepherd's Hill, where two small lambs are about to learn that very lesson with their own paws and their own hearts. The morning came soft and golden, the kind where the dew still sat like tiny beads on every blade of grass, and the whole meadow smelled of clover and warm earth. Fig, the gentle, wandering lamb who always noticed small things others missed, stood blinking at the stone wall beside Bramble, the smallest lamb on the whole hill, who was still humming faintly from the night before. I have a job for the two of you today, Jesus said, kneeling so he was eye level with them both. Old Marigold is still feeling low this morning. Clover sat with her yesterday, but today I'd like you to go keep her company and bring her some cheer. Bramble's ears perked. Fig looked down at his own small hooves. But we don't have anything to bring her, he said. No blanket, no basket of berries, nothing special at all. Jesus smiled, the kind of smile that made worry feel silly and small. You don't need to pack so much, Fig. You already carry what matters most, the love I've given you. And love doesn't run out when you give it away. It only grows. Go just as you are, and trust that whatever else you need will find you along the way. So off they went, two small lambs with nothing but themselves, down the dewy path that wound past the fire circle and along the hedge. They hadn't gone far before Biscuit came boundin' up, her golden tuft bobbing. Where are you two headed? When they told her, she grinned and pressed a fistful of sweet clover blossoms into Bramble's hooves. Give these to Marigold. Tell her they're from all of us. A little further on, quiet Matt appeared from behind a bush, holding out a soft old blanket he'd been keeping folded under a tree. She always says her corner gets cold in the evening, he said simply, and was gone again before they could thank him properly. By the time Fig and Bramble reached Marigold's little shelter at the edge of the pasture, their empty paws were full, clover blossoms, a warm blanket, and something else besides, something neither of them could quite name, a kind of gladness that had grown bigger the whole walk over. Marigold looked up, surprised, as the two small lambs came near. Peace be with you, Marigold, Bramble said softly, remembering the words Jesus had taught them that morning. We came to sit with you a while. The old Ewe's eyes filled, and she opened her shelter wide. Then come in, little ones, and welcome. She wrapped herself in Matt's blanket, breathed in the sweetness of biscuits' clover blossoms, and by the time Fig had finished telling her about the dew that morning and Bramble had hummed her a little tune, Marigold was laughing, a real, warm laugh that hadn't been heard from her corner in days. And something wonderful happened. The peace and joy the two lambs had carried in didn't run out at all. It seemed to fill the little shelter and spill back out onto them too, until all three were glowing with it. That evening, gathered by the fire, Jesus listened as Fig and Bramble told everyone what happened. You see, he said gently, you didn't need to bring much because you were already carrying everything that mattered. When we give freely what we've freely been given, it never runs out. It only grows for the one who receives it and for the one who gives. And so tonight we learned that Jesus doesn't ask us to have everything figured out or packed just right before we go and share his love. He only asks us to go, trusting that he'll provide what's needed and to give freely and warmly whatever kindness we've already been given. Is there someone tonight you could visit with nothing but yourself and a little bit of love to share? Dear Jesus, thank you for filling my heart with your love. Help me share it freely with everyone I meet tomorrow, trusting you to give me just what I need along the way. Amen. Good night, little lamb. God loves you so much. Sweet dreams.