This word is submitted by Jane Larsen (jlarsen65@hotmail.com)

-----

                          The Sheep


I have said I will leave the ninety-nine sheep and come find you.  I have 
promised that nothing can separate you from My love: no darkness, no 
depths, no shadows, no person, no powers -- nothing.  There is nothing 
that can separate you from My love.  It does not matter now how far you 
wander, it does not matter how deep you fall. Nothing.  There is nothing 
that can stop Me loving you and finding you.

When you are in the place of shadows, I will shine My lamp and see you 
there.  When you are in the place of fear, I will bring My peace and wrap 
it around you.  When you are in the place of pain, I will bring My comfort 
and sit with you.  When you are in the place of terror, I will keep you 
calm and strengthen your soul.  When you are in the place of loneliness, I 
will pour My presence over you and make you whole.  There is no place you 
can wander to where I will not come, for I have laid My eyes upon you. I 
have singled you out, and I have called you by name.

You have wandered away and believed that you were lost and forgotten.  How 
can this be when I know all?  I have numbered the very hairs on your head. 
Are you not precious in My sight?  Can I forget the one whom I have known 
since the beginning of time?  I smiled upon you and watched as you grew in 
your mother's womb.  Can I forget?  Can I ever forget you, the apple of My 
eye?

I will carry you.  I will carry you in My arms back over the mountain trails, 
back through the rising waters, back through the shadows.  I will carry you
back over the burning land.  You will be safe for it is I, your El Shaddai,
who carries you, My little one.  I will carry you back home and nurture 
you.  I love you.