A Dream Comes to Fruition

A Dream Comes to Fruition

 

Several years ago, I was feeling a little down about how Christmas had become so commercialized and even I was getting caught up in the consumer Christmas.  I had a dream that there would be a sweet symbol of the fact that we celebrate Christmas to celebrate the greatest Christmas gift mankind was ever given, and that was a baby, the King of Kings, born in a barn.  The Son of God came to Earth to save us from a life separated from our Father in Heaven.  He came to be the sacrifice, the spotless lamb, who would take the sins of the world upon his shoulders.  While candy canes, wreaths, lights, gifts, trees, and even St. Nicholas all have a history rooted in the true meaning of Christmas, those meanings have been lost.  I wanted a symbol that could not be explained without telling the story of Jesus. So the idea of Iam the Lamb was born.  He represents Jesus, a spotless lamb, the final sacrifice.  The Lamb of God who was born on Christmas Day.

I talked about this dream to my family every Christmas for several years.  They encouraged me to follow through but I didn't know how (plus I'm more of an idea generator than a follow-through-er).  So my husband came up with the first line and our daughter, Madison who was 19 at the time, finished the story. It was special and I knew I needed to do something with it.  So step by step I started the process of finding an illustrator and getting the book published.  God put the right people in front of me every single step and provided the finances to bring the book and plush lamb to a reality.  He truly was my partner in this project! 

Thank you for reading our story.

With love and gratitude,

Stephanie Karr 

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"Do You Love Me?" — Jesus, Peter, and the Little Lambs
"Do You Love Me?" — Jesus, Peter, and the Little Lambs

One of my favorite conversations in the Bible happens after Jesus has risen from the dead. Peter had made a terrible mistake. Just a few days before, he had denied even knowing Jesus—not once, but three times. Can you imagine how Peter must have felt? Ashamed. Discouraged. Wondering if he had ruined everything. But Jesus wasn't finished with Peter. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to some of His disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They had fished all night without catching anything. Then a man standing on the shore called out and told them to throw their net on the other side of the boat. Suddenly, their net was overflowing with fish. John realized who it was. "It's the Lord!" Peter didn't wait for the boat. He jumped into the water and swam to Jesus. When the disciples reached the shore, Jesus already had breakfast waiting for them. I love that. Before Jesus said anything about Peter's failure, He simply invited him to sit down and eat. After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter a question. "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Jesus replied, "Feed My lambs." Then Jesus asked him again. "Do you love Me?" Again Peter answered, "Yes, Lord." Jesus said, "Take care of My sheep." A third time Jesus asked, "Do you love Me?" Peter was hurt that Jesus asked him a third time, but he answered, "Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You." And once again Jesus replied, "Feed My sheep." (John 21:15–17) I've often thought about why Jesus asked Peter three times. Peter had denied Him three times. Jesus wasn't trying to make Peter feel guilty. He was lovingly restoring him. Instead of leaving Peter in his failure, Jesus reminded him that he still had a purpose. That gives me so much hope. Because we've all failed. We've all said things we wish we could take back, made poor decisions, or missed opportunities to trust God. But our failures don't have the final word. Jesus does. One part of this story especially touches my heart. Jesus says, "Feed My lambs." Lambs are the youngest and most vulnerable members of the flock. They need someone to guide them, protect them, and help them grow. Isn't that exactly what we're called to do with the children God has placed in our lives? Every Bible story we read together... Every prayer before bed... Every conversation about God's love... Every seed of truth we plant... We're helping feed His little lambs. That has always been the heart behind Iam The Lamb. Our books and products aren't just about creating sweet family memories—although I hope they do. They're about helping children know Jesus, trust Him, and follow Him for the rest of their lives. One of the most beautiful truths in all of Scripture is that Jesus is both the Lamb of God, who gave His life for us, and the Good Shepherd, who lovingly leads us every day. Only Jesus could be both. Today, His question to Peter is still a question for each of us. "Do you love Me?" If our answer is yes, then one of the greatest privileges we have is helping feed His lambs. Because you never know how one bedtime story, one prayer, or one simple conversation about Jesus might shape a child's heart for eternity.