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Good evening, little lambs. Tonight's story is called The Low Rope Home, inspired by the Gospel of Mark six seventeen twenty nine. Tonight Jesus teaches us that God does not pick us because we are already the biggest, the strongest, or the loudest. God loves lambs who know they need him. Then we thank Jesus, not ourselves. In the first letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses twenty six through thirty one, that is the good news, and so tonight we're on Shepherd's Hill as the light goes thin and a coil of rope sits in the grass. The sky was the color of warm milk. The path from the far clover back to the barn was getting hard to see. One wrong step and a small lamb could wander into the thistles. Jesus sat in the grass with a coil of brown rope. He looked at each of them as if that lamb were the only lamb in the meadow. We will string this rope from the old oak to the barn door, he said. Keep a hoof on it as you walk. Then even the smallest lamb can find home. Boulder stepped forward. He was a big ram, taller than the rest, with wool the color of wet river rock. He liked to jump the fence just to show he could. I will hang it, Boulder said. I am the strongest. I do not need help. Watch. He took the coil. He stretched the rope high right at his own chest. It looked tight and fine, like a line drawn across the dusk. Biskit's golden tuft bounced. It's so high and strong. Clover's blue scarf was neat, the green sprig behind her left ear tipped. Little Bramble stood on her back hooves. Her hoof waved in the air. She could not touch the rope. I cannot reach it, Bramble said. Boulder tossed his head. Little lambs can jump, or they can wait at the barn. This hill needs strong ones. I do not even need a shepherd to find my way. The grass went quiet. Jesus did not frown. He called Bramble. Bramble's ears lifted. Walk from the oak toward the barn, Jesus said. Keep one hoof on the rope. Bramble walked. She stretched. The rope was over her head. Her hoof found only air. She stopped. The path looked wide and dim. Jesus' voice was plain. Boulder, take the rope down. Boulder blinked, but it is my best work. The rope is not a prize for the tallest, Jesus said. It is so the little ones can come home. They took it down. Jesus held one end at the oak. He asked Bramble to stand beside him. Where does it sit on you? he asked. Bramble lifted her hoof to her shoulder. Jesus tied the rope there, low and steady. Clover held the middle so it would not sag. Old Wooly's silver grey fleece shone as he walked the other end to the barn hook. Now Bramble could keep her hoof on it the whole way. So could Clover. So could Biscuit. Boulder stood with his head low. I thought I did not need you, he said. Jesus looked at him the same kind way. God does not pick the biggest, Jesus said. He picks the ones who know they need him. Then no one can say I did this by myself. Boulder was still. Then he put his big hoof on the low rope next to Bramble's small one. I need you too, he said. Good, said Jesus. What you need I am glad to give. Thank me, not yourself. They walked the rope home. The first star came out. Bramble began a small song. Just thank you, thank you, Jesus. Biscuit joined. Boulder hummed, deep and surprised. Old Wooly's voice felt like sitting next to a fire. The barn door was closed, the rope was still there, low enough for the littlest hoof. That is how God chooses. He does not wait until you are already the tallest or the loudest. He loves you little, and he is the one who makes you able. So when your heart feels glad, say thank you to Jesus. That is the best kind of boast. If you were Bramble tonight, could you keep your hoof on the low rope and walk home? Jesus is glad to walk with you. Jesus, thank you for loving me when I am little. Help me know I need you, and help me say thank you instead of look at me. Amen. Good night, little lamb. God loves you so much. Sweet dreams.