That which was lost...

It's unsettling to walk through the house to do something and reach the destination and forget what I was going to do. It seems to be happening more often lately. Setting objects down only to forget where I placed them is another ailment currently plaguing me. I often feel so accomplished when I do remember what I was going to do or if I find the one thing that I misplaced. It is time to celebrate and thank God for helping me. Lost things become found. Often I rejoice; rarely do I offer thanksgiving...

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house

and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors

together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is

rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:8-10, NIV)

Yesterday, I was able to celebrate with a guest at our "Come to the Banquet" event. It is my joy to walk around the room, introduce myself and encourage our guests and offer prayer and blessings. I introduced myself to Jerry (not his real name) and we shared a few pleasantries. Jerry was probably about 45 years old. He shared his presence in Lewistwon was a visit and that he actually lived upstate. Those at his table were a mixture of friends and family. Then he hit me with his lost and found story.

When he was 6 months old, his father left the family. Most of his life was spent without his daddy and without much hope of ever finding him. Recently, unknown to Jerry, the daddy experienced a death in his family and prepared to attend the funeral. Meanwhile, in another region of the world, Jerry heard about the funeral through his friends on Facebook. (Gaaaa.......Facebook is evil!! Flee the curse of Facebook!!!!!) NOTE: Facebook is neither good or evil; it is a social media used by broken people.

The defining moment for Jerry came when he realized through a couple friend connections that he had bumped into his father....on Facebook. Well, the rest of the story includes a reunion of father and son. I asked Jerry how the reunion went and he grew more quiet and said, "It was really good." He went on to tell me that he now lives with his aging father and they are working together to remodel their home.

I could see great pride and satisfaction on Jerry's face. He was reconnected to his father and life made more sense. I believe God takes our tragedies and turns them to His triumphs. I believe all heaven rejoices when one person finds their way to Jesus. I believe Jerry and his dad were joined together through the grief of a funeral in order for them to rejoice on the other side of that season of mourning. Our God is a redeeming God and one who binds up the brokenhearted. Celebration and thanksgiving will be a new expression for me the next time I forget my way or lose something. How about you?