little lamb

There's a story that's continually captivated my heart to a depth I can't rationalize. The depth where breath gets taken and feet running to hide are stunned still. The depth of knowing.So deep, I knew for a time it was all for me. Not as if no one else ever knew or read or was impacted formatively by the story. But in that moment, it was me and my Savior. For me to ponder in my heart...with Him only.In this Christmas season, I'm reminded though that even the things that Mary pondered in her heart have since been shared with myriads of people in the best selling book of all time. My self preservation has it's grip pried from my moment with the story as I'm now compelled to share why it's meaningful. And in writing it out, hoping to discover maybe a bit more of why it has struck me so deeply for so long.What compels me to share are the ladies I serve with week in and week out, sometimes day in and day out, with our youth at church. Wanting to cheer them along, maybe the thing my soul craves is what theirs does as well in this season? We love those youth group girls and fight for them...and fight hard.Yet in this moment, won't you rest a bit with me in Mark 5:21-24; 35-42?"When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet and implored Him earnestly..."When you see Jesus, actually stop and see Him since He's always there, what is it that pulls at your heart to the point of falling at His feet? What do you earnestly seek Him for?"...saying, 'My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.' And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him..."Do you ever feel at the point of death? Soul weary? Worn thin with no strength? Or have you actually been at the point of literal death? Oh how we need His touch! His hands on us. To be well and live. Life to the full."...they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, 'Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?'"Have you been written off? Dismissed. Thinking that you aren't worth troubling the Christ anymore? Or written another soul off? A soul of a person made in the image of God, no matter how desperately dead they appear."But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, 'Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.'"He hears. Always. Our very thoughts even. And speaks into our fear, to dispel it with faith."And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And entering in, He said to them, 'Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died but is asleep.' They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out..." He enters in. Undeterred. He puts out those who laugh at you...mock you. God will not be mocked. For a time, they may be present, but trust that He will remove them. All of them.Oh and here's where it arrests and awakens me simultaneously every time..."He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. "Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, 'Talitha kum!' (which translated means, 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!') "Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded."Talitha kum! Oh little girl, Jesus says to you, "Get up!" And not by your own strength, but as He takes your hand. To rise up from the clenches of death gripping your heart, your soul, your mind, your tongue. And to the glory of God, the mockers are completely astounded. Laughter silenced. Jesus has the final word.And what has He called you? Talitha. Little girl. From Aramaic, it means damsel or maiden from a root word which means lamb, especially a young female lamb...from a root word which implies being covered for protection. A term of endearment lavished, speaking life into His precious little lamb, a daughter He was protecting. A little girl.What does your soul need today?Lifeless. Mocked. Now taken by the hand, lifted to life with the kindest of hands belonging to the One doting on you. You! His little lamb. Endeared to His heart by a neverending protective love. I know that's what my soul needs in this very moment. Every moment. He knows our frame. He knows what our hearts need. And He lavishes us continually.For me personally, there's a deeper layer. Perhaps He knew I needed the extra assurance before I had even breathed a set of breaths on earth. In a snow storm in South Carolina (a very rare occurrence!), I was born two weeks early and named Meleah. A Jewish name from the Hebrew language. It was a man's name, but commonly is thought too "pretty" for boys, it's used for girls now. It's only in Scripture once, but it's in the genealogy of Christ. Meleah means...my dear friend, object of care.In the herald of Christ coming, He calls one friend, His object of care. He calls me friend, His object of care. And know this...in Christ, you can be His friend, His object of care. His little lamb. Rising up from death. Silencing mockers. Protected by His love.Today, He reaches His hand to you, His dear little lamb, and says, "Little girl, get up!"And with this assurance sweet little lamb, arise...and speak this into the little girls around you of all ages taking them by the hand urging them to "Get up!" Bringing them to the One who reaches with a hand engraved with their name to lift them to true Life.