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Frank Robbins, the author of
this
poem, is not a member of our church but he used to visit us regularly,
from London, with his wife Betty. They were a great
encouragement and blessing to us.
We have not seen Frank for a
while, since Betty was called home to be with her
Lord, but we understand he is doing well and we trust, writing more
poems. Here is one of them:
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There
were Ninety and Nine brothers and sisters
To one little sheep that was lost.
He thought he knew far better
And never considered the cost.
The grass always looks so much greener,
On the other side of the proverbial fence.
Not realising it is there for a purpose -
To stop straying those sheep without sense.
He thought he was really quite clever:
They were frightened, but he was quite bold!
So he chewed at the grass, getting further
And further away from the fold.
It was now getting darker and darker
So he thought "It's time I went back to the fold."
But alas, now alone, he was frightened;
It was now getting terribly cold.
He started to run in the direction
That at first looked so easy and straight,
Till it narrowed - a track on the hillside
With a drop at the side - what a fate!
He could go neither forward or backward,
Or upward - he dare not look down
So he started to cry for his Shepherd
How would he ever be found?
Back at home in the fold was the Shepherd,
Counting from one through to Ninety and Nine.
He was sure one of His sheep was still missing
It was dark now, with so little time.
He put on His cloak and His sandals
With a lamp, and a staff in His hand
Went to search for the one that was missing
With a heart full of love for the lamb.
As He stopped, with His hands torn and bleeding
A cry from a sheep He could hear;
So He toiled on and on up that hillside
The sheep knew that His Shepherd was near.
Do you think that the Shepheard was angry
As the sheep suddenly came into sight?
Do you think He would leave it there crying,
And say that "It just serves you right?
The Shepherd was so full of compassion,
As gently He took hold of the sheep:
Putting it up on His should to comfort
Those scarred hands gently soothing the sheep.
The Shepherd now came home rejoicing
To the Ninety and Nine other sheep.
For the one on His shoulder (now sleeping)
Made the number One Hundred complete.
It may be that you too are straying,
Or lost, know not which way to turn:
If you cry to the Saviour, He'll hear you;
Our cry will His love never spurn.
When He knows that you truly are sorry,
And will try not to do it again,
But will keep close to the side of the Shepherd
He will protect you from harm and from pain.
For there on the cross He once suffered
That we from our sin would be free
In His love, joy, and peace, find refreshing
And one day His glory shall see.
In that day there shall be no more straying
No more tears, sorrow, crying, death, pain:
We shall see Jesus, our Lord and our Saviour,
King or Kings now, for ever to reign!
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Frank Robbins (6-5-88)
From his Journal.
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