November 7
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and
neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my
sheep which was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in
heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:6-7
In the parables Jesus used to illustrate this point, I am brought back to childhood and the feelings I had whenever I lost something. Due to visual deficits, it was a struggle to have an item needed not in its designated spot. To have missing, that one, key essential article that was so important to me at that moment, was utterly frustrating and I could not move forward without it! What a fuss I would make as I searched and searched, all the while my patience growing thin! Typically, I would go far beyond the area where it was located in a dramatic effort to find this thing seemingly so necessary to me. I wanted it found right then and there, and I would not give up! Coming from a large family, more often than not, nearly the whole household would be in an uproar as this search would inevitably involve some of them. Needless to say, they quickly tired of the antics I displayed.
Then . . . in a split second, there it was! Found at last! Once again I could see and touch this precious “thing” in my hand. How everyone rejoiced because of the relief they felt! Filled with peace, I was now able to move on to the next thing. For that moment I felt whole again; satisfied with the positive ending of the search, life continued on; all was right with the world . . . until the next episode! Although there were many other objects right in front of me which may have been part of that particular situation, like a puzzle piece, that missing thing completed the picture. Without that one piece, for me, functioning properly at that time was not possible. Consequently, I learned quite young that to live without too much distraction, I had to be organized, had to have a place for everything.
Like a missing item, our lack due to sin leaves a void in the completeness of our spirits and in the plan God has for us, leaving an empty space that is tangible. . . . but, He searches for us and He never gives up until we are found again; all the while giving us every opportunity to follow Him.
Heavenly Father, when we are lost, thank you for searching for us again and again, for making us whole; unified in your loving, Holy Spirit.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and
neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my
sheep which was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in
heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:6-7
In the parables Jesus used to illustrate this point, I am brought back to childhood and the feelings I had whenever I lost something. Due to visual deficits, it was a struggle to have an item needed not in its designated spot. To have missing, that one, key essential article that was so important to me at that moment, was utterly frustrating and I could not move forward without it! What a fuss I would make as I searched and searched, all the while my patience growing thin! Typically, I would go far beyond the area where it was located in a dramatic effort to find this thing seemingly so necessary to me. I wanted it found right then and there, and I would not give up! Coming from a large family, more often than not, nearly the whole household would be in an uproar as this search would inevitably involve some of them. Needless to say, they quickly tired of the antics I displayed.
Then . . . in a split second, there it was! Found at last! Once again I could see and touch this precious “thing” in my hand. How everyone rejoiced because of the relief they felt! Filled with peace, I was now able to move on to the next thing. For that moment I felt whole again; satisfied with the positive ending of the search, life continued on; all was right with the world . . . until the next episode! Although there were many other objects right in front of me which may have been part of that particular situation, like a puzzle piece, that missing thing completed the picture. Without that one piece, for me, functioning properly at that time was not possible. Consequently, I learned quite young that to live without too much distraction, I had to be organized, had to have a place for everything.
Like a missing item, our lack due to sin leaves a void in the completeness of our spirits and in the plan God has for us, leaving an empty space that is tangible. . . . but, He searches for us and He never gives up until we are found again; all the while giving us every opportunity to follow Him.
Heavenly Father, when we are lost, thank you for searching for us again and again, for making us whole; unified in your loving, Holy Spirit.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson