“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.”  (Matthew 18:12-14)

The only thing for sure is that the conscientious shepherd takes initiative to reach the wayward sheep.

One uncertainty is which strategy to restore the sheep is best.  I came across a situation where a mother is taking a stand on principle by not attending her daughter’s wedding.  Knowing something of the situation, I wonder if the principle is strong enough to so drastically close communication in this relationship.  It is certainly a matter of contrary opinions as to which is the best approach to win the daughter’s heart.

Another uncertainty is whether or not the sheep will ever be found.   Every success story of rejoicing overshadows many where a large expenditure of time and energy was spent resulting in no discernible fruit.

Nevertheless, amidst all this uncertainty, the call of the shepherd is to try. Use the best methods you know how.  While there will be failures, there will eventually be rejoicing.