It was late in the evening with no sign of our cat. Usually, she would scratch at our door or greet me after work.
Our kids will be devastated if she doesn’t come back.
We started to call for her outside and my husband even drove around town looking for her. Still no sign of our beloved black cat.
Bedtime was approaching and it took a long time to get our kids to not worry about it so they could fall asleep. But how could they not worry if I was worrying too?
“What if something happened to her mommy, or someone took her?!” my son cried.
“She will come back,” We assured him.
After about an hour, once we had all gone to bed, I heard scratching at the door. I crept out of bed and opened the door a crack. It was Secret, she had found her way home!
Have you ever lost something?
When our son was little, the longest 20 minutes of my life was when we thought we lost him.
We were at church, serving in the Youth ministry. While we were talking with students, my son disappeared. I remember my heart dropping once I realized he was gone. Everybody at the church started looking for him, shouting his name and even driving around the block.
In those few minutes, I had the worst thoughts possible.
I remember opening the bathroom door for the 3rd time, doubting he was in there since I had already looked earlier. Then I saw 2 little feet in the corner. He was found!
I was overcome by relief and joy immediately.
If you have ever found something that once was lost, you know the feeling I’m talking about. It’s a surge of happiness that fills up your heart – a celebration!
Imagine the joy God felt when you turned to him, when YOU were found.
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:4-7.
God cares about you so much.
He cares about the pain you are going through.
He cares about your wins.
He cares about your losses.
He cares about your illness.
He cares about your celebrations.
He cares about your worrisome mind,
He cares about YOU!
And because he cares for you so much, whatever you are going through will not be wasted. He is catching your tears ready to mix them into his plans for your life to redeem your story!
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. Psalm 126: 5-6
This week, I pray you can mediate on those thoughts.
If you have never turned to God, I pray you know God cares.
You are never too lost to be found.
