Mary Had A Little Lamb
One of the things that you may have noticed about me is that I absolutely love seeing God in everyday life. Recently I “heard” this nursery rhyme for the first time with a different set of ears. I was awed at what I knew about the words and the context for today’s world.
Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow.
Everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day, which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play, to see a lamb in school.
And so the teacher turned it out, but still it lingered near.
And waited patiently about, till Mary did appear.
"Why does the lamb love Mary so?" the eager children cry.
"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know." the teacher did reply.
My initial reaction towards this nursery rhyme was focused towards the literal words and the relationship to God in school. The Supreme Court banned prayer in school in 1963. I believe that has not been beneficial for this country in general, and all youth in particular, but I do believe that God knew it would happen that way and God’s influencing hand is prophetically all over this nursery rhyme, written in 1830.
Here’s what it may say: A child named Mary had a relationship with a little lamb (the Lamb of God – who is pure and perfect). The Lamb (Holy Spirit) was with Mary wherever she went, including school. That, of course, was against the Constitutional Amendment, but the children were still excited to have Him there. Even though the Lamb (prayer) was removed from school, it stayed nearby (in her heart) and would not “go away”. He waited patiently for Mary. Other children wanted to know why the Lamb didn’t run away, but waited for Mary. The Lamb loves ALL children; but those who accept the Lamb as their Lord and Savior, those who love the Lamb, hold a special place in His eternal heart and are especially blessed by His love.
And as I thought further I realized that the prophetic message of this nursery rhyme loomed even larger. It also says: Jesus, born to Mary, was the pure and spotless Sacrifice of God for His people. He created believers everywhere He went, and they were overjoyed at His teachings and presence. The teachers of the law, however, rebuked Jesus and crucified Him (put Him out), but He (the Holy Spirit) would not go away. Time is in His hands and He is the Lord of patience. When we show up for relationship with Him, He is there; accepting us lovingly, no matter what. Unbelievers don’t understand this bond with our Lord. They don’t seem to comprehend how we can love Him as we do. It’s because He first loved us.
1 Peter 1:19 (NLT) He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
1 John4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Blessed Father, May we continue to see and feel Your Hand in our everyday life. May we honor Your presence in our everyday comings and goings. And may You know our love for You in Your everyday. We submit our everyday successes and agonies to Your Glory. Praise be to God! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Barb
Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow.
Everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day, which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play, to see a lamb in school.
And so the teacher turned it out, but still it lingered near.
And waited patiently about, till Mary did appear.
"Why does the lamb love Mary so?" the eager children cry.
"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know." the teacher did reply.
My initial reaction towards this nursery rhyme was focused towards the literal words and the relationship to God in school. The Supreme Court banned prayer in school in 1963. I believe that has not been beneficial for this country in general, and all youth in particular, but I do believe that God knew it would happen that way and God’s influencing hand is prophetically all over this nursery rhyme, written in 1830.
Here’s what it may say: A child named Mary had a relationship with a little lamb (the Lamb of God – who is pure and perfect). The Lamb (Holy Spirit) was with Mary wherever she went, including school. That, of course, was against the Constitutional Amendment, but the children were still excited to have Him there. Even though the Lamb (prayer) was removed from school, it stayed nearby (in her heart) and would not “go away”. He waited patiently for Mary. Other children wanted to know why the Lamb didn’t run away, but waited for Mary. The Lamb loves ALL children; but those who accept the Lamb as their Lord and Savior, those who love the Lamb, hold a special place in His eternal heart and are especially blessed by His love.
And as I thought further I realized that the prophetic message of this nursery rhyme loomed even larger. It also says: Jesus, born to Mary, was the pure and spotless Sacrifice of God for His people. He created believers everywhere He went, and they were overjoyed at His teachings and presence. The teachers of the law, however, rebuked Jesus and crucified Him (put Him out), but He (the Holy Spirit) would not go away. Time is in His hands and He is the Lord of patience. When we show up for relationship with Him, He is there; accepting us lovingly, no matter what. Unbelievers don’t understand this bond with our Lord. They don’t seem to comprehend how we can love Him as we do. It’s because He first loved us.
1 Peter 1:19 (NLT) He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
1 John4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Blessed Father, May we continue to see and feel Your Hand in our everyday life. May we honor Your presence in our everyday comings and goings. And may You know our love for You in Your everyday. We submit our everyday successes and agonies to Your Glory. Praise be to God! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Barb
posted by BreadBakers at 12:44 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home