“How many times while here on earth could he be heard pleading, ‘Come to me, come to me, all of you. Do not be afraid, it is I. Why are you afraid? I am just like you: I love you. Are you afraid because you are sinners? But they are the very ones I am looking for; I am the friend of sinners. If it is because you have strayed from the fold through your own fault, then I am the good shepherd. If it is because you are weighed down with sin, covered with grime and utterly dejected, then that is just why you should come to me for I will unburden you, purify you and console you.’” ~ St. Louis Marie de Montfort
When satan finally vomited me up, I was left semi-denuded, sick, and lost. For some strange reason, although I had never been exposed to the image or the Scripture passage, I was inexplicably attracted to Christ as the Good Shepherd. I think part of it merely had to do with necessity: I was tired, helpless, and near death. I could not have crawled to Jesus, even if I had wanted to. I just collapsed, and prayed. Unbeknownst to me, the Lord was taking me up in His arms. Slowly, I realized that I had been lifted; the Lord was now healing me within His wounds; giving me time to rest, and, then, guiding my first awkward steps. For a time, I was too ill to be afraid. But, if you are scared or filled with shame, do not run from God. Shame can be a good thing; it’s a sign of remorse. Yet, it comes from the devil when it hangs around for too long; it keeps us in an insular and prideful place – unable to ask the Lord for help. Only, remember: whatever your sin, Jesus wants you and He loves you.