Tag Archives: Five Minute Friday

Rewind~Five Minute Friday

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“Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24(NLT)

Peas and Jesus

I must admit I’ve never imagined writing these words but here we go: I’ve spent the day walking around with “peas in my pants.” Yes, you read that correctly, peas in my pants. 

I awoke morning before last and when I tried to get out of bed, pain seized me with a tight grip in my low back. I laid there for a few moments trying to catch my breath and then very gingerly eventually made it up. And now, I’ve had a “hitch in my giddy-up” ever since. Thus, the bag of frozen peas stuffed in the waistband of my pants that I’ve alternated with the heating pad hoping for relief.

Here’s the thing, when I rewind my day to before the pain started I can’t find one thing I did that should have resulted in this discomfort I’m experiencing. Sweeping the floor? Watering the flowers? Surely not! The truth is though, more and more I’m finding that these days it just doesn’t take much to put my back out of alignment. One of my praying friends said teasingly that she’d ask the Lord to straighten me out. In reality that’s exactly what I need but and not just for my spine I’m afraid.

Unfortunately, as I think back it hasn’t taken much to find myself misaligned in my relationship with God either. Maybe you know this kind of pain, too. iPad before Bible. Sleep before prayer. Comfort zone before service. Complaints before praise. My list could go on and it makes me pretty uncomfortable. You too? I’m afraid a bag of frozen peas doesn’t help us in this misery does it? Thankfully though, there is a Remedy….grace.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

We don’t have to “hope” for spiritual relief; it’s offered to us abundantly through Jesus. Will it come over night? Like my back, it’s not a quick fix, but just as I am regularly doing stretches to help strengthen those weak muscles, we must exercise our faith daily, depending on God’s strength to “straighten us out” over time. It takes patience for both. There’ll be good days and bad days but peas and Jesus will help eventually get me where I need to be. And friends, Jesus will get you there too!

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.”
Philippians 3:12-14

This post was inspired by the prompt “Rewind” over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Click over to read more offerings.

Through~Five Minute Friday

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“Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Through Him Not Me

She made many trips. I watched her fly back and forth, back and forth, bringing insects to her hungry brood. It sure brought new meaning to “carry-in supper.” And let me tell you, that crew of baby birds made quick work of their helping and then immediately began begging for more. So off she went again and again. 

“A mother’s work is never done” goes the saying and when I looked up to capture this photo I think momma bird was realizing it’s true. There she sat surrounded by little gaping mouths with her beak open too as if to say she’s through with it all and ready for someone to feed her instead.

Don’t we all get to that point sometimes? Whether it’s parenting, a relationship, our jobs, that prayer that hasn’t been answered, the dream that hasn’t come true, or a myriad of other things. There comes a time when we feel we just can’t work at it anymore. With hands raised in surrender (or beaks wide open) we proclaim, “enough, I’m through, finis, done, I. Give. Up.” It’s the place where we long for someone else to step in.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve waved the white flag in all those situations I’ve mentioned above at one time or another in my life. Some, more than once. But here’s the thing I’ve realized: when I’ve been flying here and there trying to get it all done, going back and forth, over and over in an attempt to fix, achieve, or receive it, or felt like I was failing because I couldn’t be enough, do enough, or bring enough to the table…truthfully, it IS because I’m usually trying to do it all.. on.. my.. own. 

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. The will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT)

God’s work is never done with me, or any of us maybe, but the words, “those who trust in the LORD” jumped off the screen as I typed them. It doesn’t say you can earn strength by your efforts or you will soar because you try hard (things I have believed), but rather because God, the Creator of everything provides for me and you too when we put our trust in Him. His timing. His outcome. His strength.

God had given that momma robin everything she needed to care for her young and guess what? He does the same for us. The difference is, He’s given her the instinct but offers you and me a choice. Will we (I) continue to frantically feed our self-reliance which leaves us begging for more or are we through with that? If you’re like me you HAVE heard and now is the time to understand that the only way to run, walk, “fly”, or even take one step in this crazy world is to chose to trust in the One who gives us through His power, all the strength we ever need. 

**Note to self (maybe you need this reminder too): Instead of in defeat, raise your hands in in praise and repeat this truth:

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13

Someday~Five Minute Friday

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“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Someday

I always thought that someday your heart would be full of regret for all you’ve missed
and you’d tell us how sorry you are.

There was hope that a time would come when instead of calling us together to shatter our lives
you’d let us know how proud you are of the ways we’ve put them back together.

Often, I’ve wondered if you wished that you’d done things differently
and have waited to hear that you were going to try and do better.

Someday I told myself, you’d finally realize you don’t know us at all
then you’d do what it takes to change that.

But, here we are, time is a thief and has stolen your memory.

The hard truth that I think I’ve always known is…someday is never going to come…
and maybe I’m slowly learning, that’s OK.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)

Some~Five Minute Friday

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“And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Be the Somebody

There’s an old song from my younger years that had a chorus that said, “Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?” And don’t we need that? Somebody to love? That’s my challenge for us today, let’s:

Be the somebody!

After our grandson had a medical emergency and our daughter and son-in-love stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while he was hospitalized for three months, we desired to give  something back to the place that provided so much comfort and convenience for our “kids” during that time of anguish. That’s when we asked others to help us collect pop tabs which we’d learned the Ronald McDonald House uses to help pay their electric bill. 

The response has been amazing! A baggie full here. A plastic container full there. A cardboard box-full left on the porch. And three years later, they just keep coming!

“Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?”

Recently, my husband shared that he thought one of the best definitions of love he’s seen is…a pop tab. Bet you’ve never thought of love that way before! He went on to explain that “somebody” must first think about our family, next, take the action of removing the tab from the can, then be dedicated to saving them, and finally offer their gift to our family. 

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other;
let us show the truth by our actions.”
1 John 3:18 (NLT)

And that’s “the truth” we see in a simple pop tab. All it takes is somebody to love.

If you’re like me, you’ve made it a lot more complicated than that. There have been times I’ve talked myself right out of offering a gift of love to others. Oh, I convince myself there’s good reason. I don’t have enough to offer. I don’t have the time. Or the easiest of all: Somebody else will do it.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 (NLT)

True love does take thought, time, and action. They are the very things that can interfere with our own plans and agenda. But, when we lay those “things of life” down, to give to someone else? That’s when Jesus, the One who knows all about laying down life, truly shines through. 

“Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?”

We know this world is in desperate need of love. You may even be thinking of a person you know who would love, love right now. There are a few who have come to my mind. So, my challenge for today and tomorrow, and the next, stands, let’s:

Be the somebody!

Send the card, provide a meal, donate the money, send a text, order flowers, pick up the groceries, or yes, remember to pull the pop tab off the can.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34-35 (NLT)

I love being part of http://www.fiveminutefriday.com and writing with the same prompt and seeing all the different takes on it. Just click over and you can see for yourself!

Suffer ~ Five Minute Friday

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“After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.” 1 Peter 2:21 (CEV)

Hopeful Suffering

“I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me.
While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up!
I have defeated the world.”
John 16:33 (CEV)

There are verses in the Bible that I cling to for hope and encouragement. Some, I struggle to understand. And then there are others that are just plain hard. For me, the above verse is one of those difficult ones. 

This is Jesus speaking. With His very own words He’s telling us that there are no if, ands, or buts about it; We. Are. Going. To. Suffer. 

Anguish, pain, distress, disappointment, grief, I could go on and on. But, we’re told point blank, that all of this and more, whether we want it or not, will be part of our lives. May I just say that I don’t like it? If you know me or have read much here, you know that I’m a cling to control, linger in my comfort zone, happy ending kind of gal. Suffering? No thank you. I don’t want any part of it..

Of course, you know I’ve suffered much. I know you have, too. And we know we will again. Maybe like me, you find it easy to get stuck in all this suffering. But let’s look at what Jesus says about it, “Cheer up!” Wait, He said what? I don’t know about you but cheering up in troubled times doesn’t come naturally.

As usual this is a lesson I need, one I’m slooowwwly learning. Maybe it’s one you need too. Jesus is teaching us by example. He’s been there! God used His suffering, one we can’t begin to comprehend, for one reason only: so that we may have peace in this world full of agony.

How is peace possible? That’s the difficult part for me.

 “Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he told them, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, ‘Father, if it is possible, don’t let this happen to me! Father, you can do anything. don’t make me suffer by drinking from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.’”
Mark 14:32,35-36 (CEV)

 Jesus knew he was facing the ultimate suffering, not just anguish, pain, distress, disappointment, and grief, but total separation from the Father. And at this moment in Gethsemane, like me (us), He didn’t like it or want any part of it. But, our Savior didn’t get stuck in His own suffering, instead He released His control, comfort, and the ending to the One who can do anything.

How is peace possible? I think Jesus shows us that there’s only one way: Trust. (Yikes!)

I’m beginning to understand that it’s only when we depend on God’s power more than our own, believe as He did for Jesus’ suffering, that God has a purpose for ours, too, we can finally start to look beyond the cups that have been poured for each of us to find the peace that Jesus promises for our hearts even saying with Him.

“But, do what YOU want, and not what I want.” (emphasis mine)

Just plain hard? Oh my!

Hope and encouragement we can cling to? There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it! 

Say ~ Five Minute Friday

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“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

It’s easy to see why, that with a quick glance, this bird is often mistakenly called a “red-headed” woodpecker. Not until you look at him from a different perspective, in this case seeing what’s underneath, can you understand why his actual name is a red-bellied woodpecker. I’m old enough to remember radio host Paul Harvey’s distinctively comforting voice saying, “And now you know the rest of the story.” Sometimes we have to look more carefully to truly see.

When I was in Sixth Grade my A’s and B’s became C’s and D’s. My teacher, whom I loved and wanted to please didn’t understand what was happening. I looked the same, but wasn’t the girl she knew. Before long my mom came to school and there in the quiet of my empty classroom, mom said what I couldn’t say. “My dad had unexpectedly walked out on our family.” Mrs. Mayer looked at me with tears in her eyes, came around her desk, and wrapped me in her arms while whispering how sorry she was that she didn’t know. She had seen what she thought was me but now could understand that it was what was underneath, my broken heart, that told the rest of my story.  

There are pivotal times in our lives and that was one of mine. That special teacher’s compassion for me in that moment and beyond, is one of the reasons I became a teacher myself.  Her care of me became the way I tried to always treat my own students. I never wanted to let my first impressions of them or their behavior mistakenly label them in one way or another. I wanted to know “the rest of their stories” too.

And isn’t that what we all really desire? How often when asked how we are, do we say, “fine” even though we’re not? We may be exhausted, scared, in pain, grieving, confused, lonely, barely keeping our heads above water but trying not to let it show. At quick glance it mistakingly appears we have it all together and let’s be honest; there’s a part of us that wants to keep it that way. And yet, we also long for someone to see us from a different perspective, to look underneath that protective “fine,” more carefully and truly see what we can’t say, that we’re broken. Those around us are longing for the same thing.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 (NLT)

Jesus was letting us know that as believers He considered us friends, and He did give His life for ours. I don’t know about you, but that’s something I can never imagine doing. What if we look at it another way though? Instead of a quick glance and taking “fine” at face value, what if we lay down our day to day life…our perceived business, our phones, our own agendas, the desire to control our free time (speaking to myself) so we have the opportunity to look more carefully to truly see. Spending time with one another offers us all the opportunity to see things from a different perspective, to see what’s underneath, and to say what maybe we couldn’t before.

It’s been 52 years since I sat in Mrs. Mayer’s classroom.  I wish I could talk with her today so I could say, “thank you.” Thank you for listening. Thank you for grieving with me. Thank you for caring. Thank you for taking the time to truly see me, broken as I was and literally changing my life. That’s the kind of friend, wife, mom, MiMi, Christian, that I want to be. How about you?

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:10,13,15 (NLT)

I have a little (or a lot) of time. Now that you know a little of mine, what’s the rest of YOUR story?

Joining others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com as we write to the prompt, say. Click over to see what they have to say.

Pattern ~ Five Minute Friday

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“But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.” 1 Corinthians 12:31b (NLT)

Living in the Crevices

It was something I’d never seen before. As I watched the birds out my window I noticed a Downy Woodpecker glide toward the porch. Carefully approaching to get a better look at what was going on, I observed the normally shy guy jabbing his beak into the cracks of our stonework. I have no idea what he was doing. My best guess is collecting bugs that had been trapped by spiderwebs in those crevices during the summer. But why, when there were three feeders, suet, and a cylinder made completely of nuts, fruit, and seeds, a literal bird buffet right there, was he hanging out where he didn’t belong? It still remains a mystery.

As I continued to watch this snow drenched, black and white bird and his unusual behavior a thought came to mind (as the Holy Spirit often likes to send me) we too, can exhibit similar actions. How often do we perch in life’s “cracks” instead of partaking of the abundance God provides for us?

I don’t know about you, but when I find myself weather-worn from the storms that come my way, I cling to the comfortable patterns of pecking away at worry, fear, anxiety, and all those things that I find trapped in my mind. So why, when I know the Bible tells us over and over that’s not where we belong, do I settle for less when something so much better, the best really, is right there waiting for me? Believe me, it remains a mystery that I hope to solve sooner rather than later.

As I ponder this, my thoughts have turned to the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:1-26) Remember? She was living a life not doing as she should either and Jesus comes to her and offers her something better.

“Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.’” John 4:10 (NLT)

“If you only knew.” As I mentioned above, I DO know., so why do I often find myself stuck dangling in my meager attempts to satisfy my own needs? I forget Jesus’ next words, maybe you do too: if you would ask Me, I would give.

God, through Jesus, has spread out before us an array for our taking. Love, comfort, wisdom, strength, peace, guidance, forgiveness, and so much more, a literal Spiritual smorgasbord awaits when we seek Him.

There’s no doubt that living in the “crevices” is not the pattern I want my life to follow. I’m guessing you don’t want that either. We also can be sure that God’s best is more than anything we could ever imagine or have seen before. Paul puts it like this:

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT)

May this prayer be our prayer as we live life patterned after Christ’s love, seeking the only One who can fill those chasms, freeing us “through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:29 (NLT)

Amen!

So happy to be back joining with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com for the first prompt of 2024. It’s not too late for you to write with us too!

 

Escape ~ Five Minute Friday

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“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1 (NLT)

The Great Escape

Our middle grandson is going to be “that child.” Most every family has one. (If you know, you know!) His latest escapade found him playing cops and robbers with his brother.  He was the robber (not surprising) who’d been apprehended. This particular robber however, didn’t think the story was over and decided to attempt an escape from the cop. So, standing forty inches off the ground atop a backyard toy that was not meant to be stood upon, that child took a flying leap toward freedom. Unfortunately, he hadn’t calculated what would happen upon landing since his hands were handcuffed behind his back. You guessed it. With no way to break the fall, his face and the brick patio collided. That poor robber was quickly off to the ER.

I must admit that there have been times in my life (more than I’d like) that I’ve been “that child” in the family of God. I can totally relate to and claim these words Paul wrote, as my own:

“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
Romans 7:14-15 (NLT)

Yep! I can find myself in trouble with the “law.” You too? How often do we know what it is we should do but don’t. Even more, how many times is what we shouldn’t do evident and yet, there we are doing what is wrong anyway.  I don’t know about you, but there are times I feel bound by my own sin and looking to escape. Unfortunately, this is usually when I (that child) take a flying leap on my own, only to crash head first into a hard mess. Maybe you’ve “faced” the hard stuff too. That’s when we need to rush ourselves straight to the ER, our Eternal Redeemer.

“Oh what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Romans 7:21-8:2 (NLT)

The doctors gave our grandson a good look-over and thankfully he only came away with easily treatable scrapes and bruises this time. He was awfully sore though, so hopefully it taught him a good lesson. I’m pretty sure about one thing, those handcuffs won’t go back on for awhile, if ever! 

There’s a lesson you and I can learn, too. Being “that child” makes us painfully aware of our sin. Thank goodness we are cared for by Jesus. He is the key that frees us. We may feel the misery of our actions, but because of Him our shackles to sin have been removed AND we never have to put them on again. 

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
John 8:36 (NLT)

Joining once again with http://www.fiveminutefriday.com 

Rely ~ Five Minute Friday

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“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

What Can We Rely On?

At the risk of sounding like my grandfather, “Back in my day, things were built to last!” For example, in the early years of our marriage we purchased a simple, ivory refrigerator. Boy did we feel like adults! Years later when we moved, it moved along with us and that fridge continued to work without a hitch for almost 30 years. 

Then, seven years ago we moved into our new house and with it came shiny, modern appliances. Would you believe that in that short time, we’ve had to have the ice maker in our refrigerator serviced on THREE different occasions? Our grandsons were here once while it wasn’t working so I’d made ice the old fashioned way. When I got the white plastic trays out of the freezer to give the boys a cube, they put their hands over their cups and said, “I want real ice!” Oh my how times have changed. But the truth is, we are spoiled and depend on our ice maker to spit out moon shaped cubes whenever we want them.

Here are a few more things I rely on:

~My cell phone to help me stay connected
~Air conditioning to combat the heat
~A key that always unlocks the door
~Our car to get me where I’m going
~The generator to provide power when there is none

What would you add? Whatever it is, guess what? Just like the 3X “new” ice maker in our refrigerator, these things on my list and yours can also, and probably will, fail. Things are dependable until they’re not.

Here’s a hard thought: People are the same. We want to trust those around us, especially the ones closest to us and in turn, they place their confidence in you and me. But, (and that’s a big but) no one is perfect and so, there comes a time when we too are reliable, until that is, we’re not. So what in the world can we rely on? The answer is nothing. There’s not one thing “in the world” that won’t let us down.

But, (and this is a bigger but) there is One, not of this world, that we can confidently put our faith in!

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

So, here’s my new list of things to rely on:

~Jesus is our connection between Heaven and Earth
~He is the ONLY Way to avoid the “heat”
~God sent his Son to be our Key to eternal life
~Through Him, can we only be sure to get where we are going
~There is nothing that provides more power than the blood of Jesus

What would you add? Whatever it is, if it’s about Jesus, guess what? He. Will. Never. Fail!

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

As much as possible, you can “rely” that each week I will write along with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Why don’t you click on over. You won’t be disappointed.

Replace ~ Five Minute Friday

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“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10(NLT)

Never Too Lost

If you’ve read many of my words here you know that I am a memory hoarder. Whether it’s a photograph, hand written note, trinket, song, or just a remembrance that slides into my thoughts, I treasure them all. It’s not that I live in the past, but rather that I cherish it. 

Many years ago when my children were young, my Grandma gave them my Grandpa Frank’s leather case full of keys to play with. Soon, they were used to start a “car” and later to unlock the door to a “house.” The kids loved those keys and so, when it came time for us to leave, Grandma told my son and daughter to take the keys with them. Believe me, they were well used!

Fast forward and we now have grandsons. When putting together their toy box here I thought of those keys and added them to the other things I’d collected. Once again they became a popular source of entertainment bringing an “engine” to life, unlocking a “treasure chest,” or whatever else a little boy’s imagination could come up with. And yes, I too loved that case of keys.

At the end of a visit several years ago as I put things back in their place I realized the well-worn leather case with it’s variety of keys was missing.  I searched high and low, over and under, in and out, but never found them. It seemed they were gone forever and it made me sad to think that I’d lost not just the keys, but something that could never be replaced, the connection they were to my Grandma and Grandpa Frank.

Life is funny. Early last week out of nowhere, those keys came to mind. I don’t know why, just that I once again mourned their loss. On that very day the temperature outside was cooler than it had been in a long time and on a whim I decided I was going to do some trimming in my flower bed. As I began to work it occurred to me that I’d received some fancy clippers as a gift and wondered where they were. I began digging in my gardening/bird feeding pile in the garage and found the tool at the bottom of the heap. As I lifted them up…..are you ready for this? There, lying on the concrete floor underneath the clippers was the beloved key case! I’m not going to lie, a tear or two of joy and thanksgiving were shed. 

How those keys got there? Why I hadn’t I seen them before? I have no idea. However, I do know a reignited memory, unexpected cooler temperatures, and the thought of a gift I could use to make my job easier all lead me to a pile where those long lost keys had laid for years, under the exact tool I was looking for. Coincidence? I think not!

What a perfect lesson for me and maybe for you, too.

We can find ourselves at times in an unexpected place that we’re not even sure how we got to or how to get back from.

We’re never too lost that we won’t be found.

Life circumstances may be heaped upon us, leaving us feeling buried and unseen.

We’re never too lost that we won’t be found.

Overcome with worry and fear, we often believe we’ve lost our connection to God and that it can never be replaced.

We are never too lost that we won’t be found.

Sometimes, we are that one sheep that wanders away from the other 99, goes astray, and lose our way.

We are never too lost that we won’t be found.

“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.”
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NLT)

Coincidence that God calls himself our Shepherd and promises to find the lost? I think not! He will look high and low, over and under, in and out, whatever it takes to bring us Home where we belong.  I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a memory worth holding on to!

Joining with the lovely group at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com . Click over to read their offerings on the prompt, “Replace.”