lost and found

From the other end of the house.  I could hear him from the far side, that’s how loud he was crying.  And it wasn’t the “I’m injured” sort of wail.  No.  It was heart-break; that’s what I could hear in the mournful sound my Isaac was making.

As I neared their room, Emily met me in the hall way.  “He can’t find the green ninja,” she explained and I knew this: we were in for a very very long day if we didn’t find it.

He’d looked everywhere, he told me between sobs.  And he was going to keep looking.  It seemed fruitless you know. This little green lego ninja is barely as big as my thumb.  He couldn’t remember where he’d last played with it. The search was like finding a needle in a hay stack.  So many little tiny legos and toys scattered here and there.

“Why did he need that one little toy anyway?  Surely there were others,” I thought.

When I made the suggestion that we end the search and he resume playing with his other ninjas, the red, blue, black and white ones, he fell into heaping pile of wet sobs.  No.  there would be no playing until we found the all-important green ninja.  He was one of a kind.

We continued.  and I don’t think I’ll forget his sound of joy.  From the kitchen I heard it, while I was getting lunch ready.  He had been found in the couch cushions where we had already searched several times over.  “He’s here!  He’s here!  He’s here!  in the couch!  under the pillows!”

He stood there aglow, rejoicing in his discovery.  His love, found again!

I stared at Him and was reminded.  My son, had painted a beautiful picture for me.  His joy, only small-ish in comparison to what the Savior must have felt when He found me.  or any of us who have been found.

I remember the day like it was yesterday.  Covered up in sin, I was only 7 or so – but I knew what I was. And His spirit whispered in my heart so clearly and lovingly, I could not resist Him.  In my need, He found me.

Why did He need me, when there are plenty others already in the fold?

The New Testament relates the story, where the Good Shepherd leaves the 99 just to go find the one sheep who is lost out in the wilderness.  On searching for this one loved one, He finds it – and there is great celebrating.  “This one who was lost, now is found!”  Although there were many in the fold, He loved that one who had gone astray.

This is the promise for all who are lost.  He does not will that any perish – and in our human need, He pursues us relentlessly, tirelessly – with a love that cannot be sidetracked or disheartened.    How he longs to declare everyone found!

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for this love that sends you searching into the dark night, for that one who is lost.  Thank you for finding me!   Help me to show your love to others who need it too. a.men

Found!