Carried by A King

What shame I have, a wandering lamb, Who strayed so far away. Unto an ill-strewn thorny path, Far from my homeward way. Out in the waste I fared afar, Through deep deserted roads. This lamb had earned its desert thorns, And grief and heavy loads. There were no others there to see; I suffered all alone. My weariness and misery Came solely by mine own. But lo, what’s this? A figure comes! The Shepherd for the lost! He knew the path, He fared it too; He came despite the cost. No anger crossed His smiling face; His love was still the same. He did not say, “Rise, follow Me,” He knew my weakened frame. But rather, yet, He lifted me, And carried me aloft. No murmuring words came from His mouth, Nor ev’n a word of scoff. But rather, I had come to see The joy upon His face; Rejoicing that this lamb was found, And carried from that place. My part was not to bear the load; He carried all the weight. He shouldered every burden that Had brought me to this state. And when at last I reach the fold, Mine heart doth boast of Him. He left His heavenly abode To rescue me from sin. Now I know who this Man was Who laid me gently down. For I was rescued by the One Who wears a kingly crown. Original artwork of Oil on Canvas 18” x 24”. Painted 2026.