Liam
the Lamb Learns about God’s Greatest Gift
By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral of the Story:
God’s love is endless, patient, and kind. He gave His Son so that we could have
life everlasting. When we believe in Jesus, we become part of God’s family. Faith
opens the door to peace that never ends. True love gives without expecting
anything in return. Grace is God’s gift, free for every heart that believes. When
we share His love, we bring light to the world. God’s greatest gift is His Son, and through
Him, we are made whole.
Liam the Lamb lived in a quiet
meadow surrounded by soft green hills and crystal-clear streams. The sky above
stretched wide and blue, and the sun warmed the earth with gentle light. Every
day, Liam loved to explore, nibbling on sweet clover and listening to the birds
sing from the trees. But even with all this beauty around him, Liam often wondered
why he was here and what made life truly special.
One bright morning, Liam followed
his flock to the edge of the meadow, where old Shepherd Daniel stood watching
over them. The shepherd always carried a tall staff and a kind smile that made
the animals feel safe. “Good morning, Liam,” the shepherd said as he scratched
behind the lamb’s ears. “You look like you have a question.”
Liam nodded. “Shepherd, you talk
about God’s love every day. You say it is the greatest gift of all, but what
does that really mean?”
The shepherd’s eyes softened. “Ah,
Liam, that is a beautiful question. God’s love is the reason we have life, the
reason we can forgive, and the reason we can hope. Long ago, God gave His only
Son, Jesus, to show the world how much He loves us. That is the gift I speak
of, the one that never ends.”
Liam tilted his head. “But how can
one gift be for everyone?”
The shepherd smiled. “Because it is
a gift from the heart of God. His love is big enough for every soul, no matter
how lost or lonely.”
As the day went on, Liam couldn’t
stop thinking about those words. Later, while drinking from the stream, he
noticed a small bird with a broken wing struggling in the grass. The bird
chirped softly, afraid and hurting. Liam remembered what the shepherd had said
about love, and he knew what he must do. He carefully placed the bird in a
patch of warm sunlight and stayed beside it, whispering gentle words until the
shepherd arrived.
Shepherd Daniel knelt down, smiled,
and wrapped the bird’s wing with a soft strip of cloth. “You did a kind thing,
Liam,” he said. “You gave comfort when someone was hurting. That is what God’s
love looks like.”
The next morning, Liam woke to the
sound of singing. The little bird had healed enough to fly and was circling
above the meadow, singing joyfully. Liam felt warmth in his heart, the kind
that stayed even after the bird was gone.
Days passed, and soon spring turned
to summer. One afternoon, a heavy storm rolled over the hills. Thunder boomed,
lightning flashed, and the flock grew frightened. The rain poured so hard that
Liam became separated from the others. Cold and shivering, he searched for
shelter but saw only darkness and flashes of light.
He thought about the shepherd’s
words again. “God’s love never ends.” So even though he was scared, Liam
whispered, “Dear God, please help me find my way back. I believe You are with
me.”
The storm raged on, but through the
rain, Liam saw a lantern flickering in the distance. It was the shepherd,
calling his name. “Liam! Liam!”
The lamb ran as fast as his little
legs could carry him until the shepherd’s strong hands lifted him up and placed
him safely under his cloak. “There you are,” the shepherd said softly. “I told
you I would never stop searching for you.”
That night, back in the warm barn,
Liam lay beside the other sheep and thought about everything that had happened.
He realized that the shepherd’s love for him was like God’s love for everyone.
No matter how lost someone became, God would always seek them, guide them, and welcome
them home.
The next day, Liam shared his story
with his friends. “I learned something amazing,” he said proudly. “God loves us
so much that He gave us Jesus to bring us home to Him. That is the greatest
gift of all.”
The older sheep nodded with gentle
smiles. “You are right, young one. Love is the only gift that grows the more we
share it.”
From that day forward, Liam looked
at the world differently. Every sunrise reminded him of God’s light. Every
rainbow after a storm reminded him of God’s promise. And every act of kindness
reminded him that love was meant to be given freely.
Whenever a new lamb was born, Liam
would nuzzle them close and whisper, “God loves you more than you can imagine.”
He became a helper to the shepherd, guiding others to safety and comforting
them when they were afraid.
Years later, when Liam had grown
strong and wise, the meadow was still filled with the songs of birds, the
laughter of streams, and the peace that comes from knowing you are loved. And
every night, as he looked at the stars, Liam thanked God for His greatest gift,
the love that never ends.
Poem:
Love so pure, love so bright,
Guides the heart through the darkest night.
Given freely, never earned,
Through this love, the lost returned.
God so loved the world He made,
That He gave, and love displayed.
In Jesus’ name, our hearts are lifted,
Eternal life, His greatest gift.
Discussion Questions:
1.
What did Liam learn about God’s love,
and why is it called the greatest gift?
2.
How did Liam show kindness to others
in the story?
3.
How can you share God’s love with
the people in your life today?
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