SPEAKER_00 0:00

Good evening, little lambs. Tonight's story is called The Ladle by the Mashpot, inspired by the Gospel of Luke four thirty eight forty four. Tonight Jesus teaches us that He comes close when we are hurtin. He makes us well. Then we get up and help. He does this one lamb at a time. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter four, verses thirty eight through forty four, that is what he shows. And so tonight we're on Shepherd's Hill, where a mash pot steams in the grass and a wooden ladle lies beside it. The evening was still hot, the mash smelled like warm oats and sweet grass. A ring of wooden bowls sat in the dust. The big wooden ladle waited by the pot. Whoever held it would fill every bowl, so even the smallest lamb could eat. It was Clover's turn. Her cream wool was dusty, her blue scarf hung loose. The green sprig behind her left ear drooped. But Clover was not standing by the pot. She was lying under the oak. Her head felt too hot. She had stayed in the sun too long, gathering the sweet grass for the mash. Her legs would not hold her. I want to fill the bowls, Clover whispered. I cannot get up. Biskit's golden tuft bounced. She was hungry. She grabbed the ladle with both hooves. I'll do it, she said. The ladle was heavy. Mash sloshed. Biscuit's own bowl got too full. A lump landed in the dust. Little Wren stood close with her small bowl. She was tiny with curly ears. She was old Wooly's granddaughter. Last night she had been stuck in the dim hay shed until Jesus called her out, and tonight she was not afraid. She only wanted supper. Her bowl was still empty. Old Wooly's silver grey fleece shone. He sat in the grass and did not grab. Clover needs help, he said. His voice felt like sitting next to a fire. They found Jesus on the path. He looked at each of them as if that lamb were the only lamb in the meadow. Please, Biscuit said. Clover is too hot. She cannot stand. The mash is getting thick. Jesus came to the oak. He knelt in the dust. He put his hand on Clover's hot forehead. His hand was cool. Clover, he said, you are well. The heat went out of her head. She sat up, her sprig lifted. She stood. She took the ladle. It was still just a ladle. She filled Wren's small bowl first, all the way. Then she filled biscuits, not too full, then old Woolly's, then her own. She did not dump the pot. She went bowl by bowl. Two more lambs came up from the lower path. Their wool was dusty. Their heads were hot from the walk. Biscuit waved the empty air with a hoof. Do them all at once, she said. Then we can eat. Jesus did not wave at the whole path. He went to the first dusty lamb. He put his hand on that hot head. Then he went to the next. One lamb, then the next. Clover filled those bowls too. The mash was ordinary and good. Wren's chin dripped. Nobody's bowl was empty. Then Jesus said the plainest thing of the whole night. I come close, he said. I make you well. Then you get up and help. I do this one lamb at a time, not in a bunch. Each of you. Clover looked at the ladle in her hoof. I thought I had to stay lying down. You were hurting, Jesus said. I am glad to make you well, and I am glad you used the ladle for the others. In the morning the lambs found him on the path that leads to the next hill. Biscuit took the edge of his sleeve. Stay, she said, be only our shepherd. Fill only our bowls. Jesus did not look angry, he looked kind, and he kept walking. I love you, he said. I will come back. I must go to the next hill too. There are lambs there who are hot and hungry. That is why I was sent. Clover hung the ladle on the pot handle, ready for supper. The first bird sang. The hill felt cool at last, and so tonight we learned that Jesus comes close when we are hurting. He makes us well one at a time. Then we get up and help. He does not hurry past you, and his care is not only for our own hill. When your head feels too hot or your friend cannot get up, who could you ask Jesus to come close to? And whose bowl could you fill? Let's close our eyes now, safe on the green hill, held by the shepherd who comes close to each of us. Jesus, thank you for coming close when I am hurting. Thank you for making me well one at a time. Help me get up and help someone else. Amen. Good night, little lamb. God loves you so much. Sweet dreams.