The parable of the lost Zuvic
Have you ever heard the parable of the lost sheep? Growing up in Sunday School I’d say I’ve heard it enough times to tell it word for word… Backwards. At the risk of sounding disrespectful, I never gave the story too much attention. Never preached about it or used it in an example. It was just a nice story, that’s all. Anywho, for no reason at all last night the story made its way into my thoughts as I attempted to drift off to sleep. I sat there and really gave it some thought. It reminded me of my job. I work with 18 monstrous preschoolers who drive me insane.. Everyday when I call them into class from the playground, they run and line up at the door. Of course when I count them up, I am always one short. So I have to leave the 17 to look for that one. Its usually Kaitlyn, this blonde hair blue eyed princess who thinks its funny that I have to come look for her. She makes me do laps around the playground chasing her while the kids cheer her name. She usually butters me up after which means I won’t stay mad at her for too long. My coworker tells me to act mad at her for a while so she won’t do it again, but I know that’s not going to keep her from doing it. She will always do it because she knows that I will never go in without her. She knows I will leave the 17 just to chase down the 1. The same way a million dollars is not a million dollars if your missing a penny, my 18 monsters will never be 18 without my little blonde headache. So I get to work this morning and its my turn to lead chapel time. I grab this bible stories book I have and the first story I happen to open to is that one. The story of the Lost sheep. I don’t know if Jesus was trying to tell me something or perhaps I just have a new interest in sheep. I now love that story though. I love that Kaitlyn will always know that I won’t leave her behind. Not only because I could get fired for child neglect, but also because I love her. I love my number 18. I will put her on a human leash if I have to, but she will never get left behind. The same way he won’t leave me. I imagine God having to leave a whole herd just to find me twirling my hair behind some trees or something. I can imagine how much I frustrate him on account of my head always being in the clouds. I wonder if he ever thinks twice before leaving the 99 to come get me. I can see the face of Jesus now. Rolling his eyes or something when his Zuvic goes missing. I imagine I really would be number 100 if he’s into alphabatizing, because let’s face it, nothing goes after the letters Z U V I C. I lay in bed and wonder if I’m worthy of this though. I wonder why he would leave the 99 that always get it right just to come get me. I am the one sheep who is messy and clumsy. I’m the one who can never get it right. I am probably the perfect example for a parable illustration of the lost one. I’m not saying I am in a state of rebellion or anything, I just know I’ve never gotten it right. I’ve never hit the nail on the head with this whole thing and I’ve had about 18 years worth of shots. I can’t quite fathom that he would leave the 99, scattered among the fields just to pull me out of my daydream. Yet he does it everytime.
