Lost and Found

As I write this, there are sounds of rustling and moving furniture in the room next to mine. An anxious young man is in the bedroom adjacent to mine desperately trying to find something that he is worried about and afraid he has lost.

My thirteen-year-old son Mikey is looking for his billfold. And he is doing his best to fight off discouragement and worry in the process.

I love this kid, he is hopelessly sentimental and places enormous value on things. One thing he really loves is his missing bonafide geeky ACM (Auto Card Management) wallet he had to order online. Adding to his worry, the Christmas money received from family is in it, and even more importantly, it holds some of his most treasured keepsakes; trinkets that only a boy could love.

Knowing his anxiousness, I just got through giving him a big hug, and he and I prayed together… a rare moment when the young man in my arms still felt reminiscent of the little guy he once was. He and I both know I am an expert in praying for misplaced things…

Together we prayed and then I kissed him on the head. I told him to relax and that I was certain it will show up soon enough and his job was just to keep looking.

There is no doubt in my mind that it will reappear in time… and here's one reason why. After praying a quick prayer over him and thanking God in advance for showing us where his wallet is Mikey made a comment under his breath with his head on my chest… "God, I'm so glad I already tithed…"

I'm so glad I already tithed… That's MY boy who said that – talk about making me proud. When I hear that kind of spontaneous character coming out of one of my kids I feel compelled to do whatever it takes to honor and reward. Chuckle, I also know God well enough to know that He is even more proud of the boy who is looking for his billfold and will likely beat me to it. So God and I are racing to see who will be the one to bless "our" boy. I have a feeling God will likely beat me to it... especially since God just pulled out the big guns as I just heard mom from the other room who is now in on the investigation – the missing item should be found in no time!

NOTE: 17 minutes and 55 seconds after posting this blog and turning the house and every car upside down, you'll never guess what Mikey found camouflaged ON HIS BED... he is his father's son.

^{Lk 15:8} "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?

^{Lk 15:9} And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'

^{Lk 15:10} In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Comments

[Bobby Sturgeon, Jr.]

I've lived the same the-Holy Spirit-knows scenario countless times. Okay, enough about child #2. Now, as for child #1, I was just as impressed one recent Saturday night while greeting. I overheard one of your daughter's companions suggest that she could access the capp bar even though it had just closed (because she's the pastor's daughter). In recap, she admitted, "...I'm able, but I'm not going to." I had that same wow-what-character sensation observing her choice. Good show kids!

[Josh (Gert's) Gerstmeyer]

Thats is what I pray for our generation to put God first in everything. Thank you pastor for teaching him the right stuff. I pray for the wisdom to teach my child the way you have taught your kids. Thank you..