Luke 15:4 reminds us, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”

Reflecting on this scripture during a recent devotion with other ladies brought to mind a touching story shared by a friend about her son’s journey to becoming a shepherd. After graduating from high school, he pursued his dream and found employment on a large sheep farm in South Dakota. Occasionally, newborn lambs would face rejection from their mothers, earning them the nickname “bums.” While it’s easy to envision a quaint farm where children lovingly care for these lambs, the reality on this industrial farm was different. With every employee focused on the daily tasks of caring for the thriving sheep, there was little provision for nurturing these rejected lambs. However, hope came in the form of a compassionate woman known as the “bum lady,” who selflessly collected, bottle-fed, and provided care for these abandoned lambs. In the midst of rejection and neglect, she became their rescuer.

We are all familiar with the metaphor of humans as sheep in the Bible, portraying us as vulnerable and in need of guidance. While we recognize Jesus as our ultimate rescuer, I suggest that as disciple-makers, we are called to reproduce the compassion of the “bum lady” for those who feel rejected and neglected. By offering nourishment and a chance at life to the marginalized, we fulfill our mission as followers of Christ. Like the “bum lady” who prioritizes the one in need over the crowd, we too can choose to extend kindness to those who have been forgotten, embodying the love and care of our ultimate rescuer. So, when you encounter someone battling rejection and neglect, take a moment to appreciate the opportunity given to you by God to be a source of comfort and care, just like the “bum lady.”

”A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.“

Proverbs 11:25