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Monday, August 4, 2008

Lost and Found

Last night I was heading to my parents house to do laundry. Our dryer broke sometime last week and we didn't even know it.
Then one day I realized that we were taking turns in re-drying the same load. The musty smell of the wet clothes finally tipped us off that something just wasn't right.



So just as I am trying to turn my life around in Laundry Land my dryer has a nervous breakdown. I suppose it's because it's being used more than normal and doesn't know how to handle working all of the time.

So on the way to my parents home to use their dryer, I saw two guys searching for their dog. I wanted to stop and help them, but it was 11 at night and I don't talk to strangers after the street lights come on. So I kept driving, but this is what came to my mind before the dog's search party was out of view in my rear view mirror.



We've all seen the signs for someone's missing pet. Here's a mock one I made up just in case our lovely dog Kane comes up missing, which he just might if he ever destroys a feather pillow again:


LOST

His name is Kane and he is very friendly.

Last seen playing with tennis ball in backyard.

Please call worried owner ASAP at 555-5555 if found.

REWARD given upon return.




Desperate homemade pleas on computer paper seen in every city found stapled on telephone poles or taped to glass doors of a business in the attempt to bring their loved ones back to where they belong.




The thought that made me smile as I turned into my parents neighborhood was this:



When we make the choice to wander off the narrow path is this what the angels see stapled to the poles that line the streets of gold? Is this what Moses sees taped to the door of the throne room?



LOST


Her name is Lelia and she is very friendly.


Last seen reading My Word in her chair.


Please call on her Creator by praying if she is found.


REWARD given upon return.



My sister has a dog that she rescued from the humane society. Molly loves the food and safe shelter that Michelle provides her, but suddenly Molly got tired of being obedient. One morning when Michelle opened the back door Molly bolted out from under her master's protection only to find herself alone on the streets. No food, no shelter, no pats on the head, no instruction.



For awhile, my sister was calling weekly asking me to pray as she was on the chase for what belonged to her. Then after doing that many times Michelle got tired of making Molly be somewhere she had no desire being, so she let her go. As sad as it made my sister, she just had to hope Molly would remember how good she had it and want to come back. The freedom that Molly desired turned out to not be what she wanted at all as she eventually returned home.

Her master rejoiced.



I imagine just like my sister and many good dog owners that it grieves one's heart to no end when their loved one chases after what they think is a better life; only to find that the streets of the world have nothing to offer.




I have grieved my Savior's heart many many times because I wasn't satisfied with what He had to offer and the world looked much better to me. And so I ran. I got bored with a life of obedience and reading His Word and I closed my Bible and ran. Sooner or later after getting tired of chasing after nothing but depression, rejection, shame and despair, I returned home.

My Master rejoiced.

Back in the arms of Jesus was my reward.




I don't want to have a lost sign posted about me by Jesus ever again. I don't want to be without Him because of my choice to run from Him. When life gets rough I want to choose wisely.

I want to run to Him. Run after Him.


So in everyday life, how do we stick with what we know is good for us?


By daily seeking Him. Being in His Word every day whether we feel like it or not. Fellowshipping and blogging with others that push us closer to Him. Praying without ceasing. Recognizing when boredom or complacency tries to invade our walk with Him and attack it with Scripture. Just simply being curious about Him.



I urge you to chase Him down like my sister did with Molly.

He is so worth the catch.


Love you,

Join me and friends tomorrow for the awesome YES to GOD Tuesday discussion of Lysa TerKeurst's book "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith."

Join us at any time!

16 comments:

Amy L Brooke said...

WOW. This is absolutely great and so true. Too often I run after the empty, forgetting what I have. Thanks for sharing.

Dorothy Champagne said...

What a great analogy. It's so wonderful how we can find His light in the everyday mundane things, like chasing a dog or doing laundry. Thank you for the insight!

cautious1 said...

Hello Lelia
- I was directed to your blog from Amy B.'s blog. I love your post today and I love the analogy that you used. I can totally relate to everything that you said. I look forward to being a regular reader of your blog.
Thanks for your insightful, thought-provoking words.
God Bless -
Beth

Paula V said...

First let me say that I don't believe you should feel guilty for not working in Tot Town. Yes, we should serve in ministry but it doesn't have to be Tot Town. You are very good with women (as in blogland) so maybe your place is in adult SS. I have come to realize that though we should find our place of service we should not feel guilty for not filling every empty spot in service at church. For years, I felt guilty for not helping in the much needed nursery. But that just was not my place. God has a place of service but we need to fulfill the place HE has and not the place we are continually asked because there's a empty whole or need. I truly hope this makes sense. I think a lot of times we can be guilted into a place of service because there is a desperate need. People passionate about Tot Town or whatever ministry it is can be so enthuse that it turns almost into a guilt trip. "I love doing Tot Town. It is so fulfilling and fun and you'll love it to. I love it so you should love it." Not the case. We are not all designed with the same passion nor same abilities or place of service.

Okay, tha was WAY more than I intended.

I wanted to also add that isnt' it wonderful that even when we do run, He chases after us. It is not a forceful chase but rather a gentle trot behind us enough that we can feel His breath of love on us. He never forces Himself on us yet, He never leaves us no matter how long or how hard we run. If we turn our head ever so gently back into His direction, we'll see Him right there. Praise Jesus. He is with us regardless. Now let me go do some catching of my own.

Thanks so much, Lelia. This is a wonderful visual reminder to NEVER give up the chase.

Oh, and God is never a god of "catch me if you can". He will never run from us. We can ALWAYS catch Him, if we are only willing .
Love ya,
Paula

StitchinByTheLake said...

Thought provoking post Lelia. I must echo Paula that working with "Tot Town" may not be where you need to serve. It certainly isn't where I need to serve, nor is the kitchen, though my husband loves being on the clean up crew there! Maybe where you are serving is right here on your blog. You are using time and talent to spread God's Word - is that not serving? You are opening up your heart and your soul and your home to help other women feel good about themselves - is that not serving? You are showing us your up side and your down side and your determiniation to cling to your Father and helping us to keep on clinging as well - is that not serving? Let God be the one who nudges you as to where you should serve - He will nudge you to write as you are doing now or perhaps He will lead you in a different direction later. But for now your service is important right where it is. Blessings, marlene

LynnSC said...

Another Great Post!! I love your heart and your honesty.

I don't want Jesus to have to put up a "lost" sign for me either. What a great story!! Point well taken.

Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
Lynn

Kelley said...

Awesome post Lelia,
Man I would love explore inside your brain sometime, nothing gets by you! Even people out searching for their dog. I may have to make a few of those signs up and put my children's pictures on them though. Wouldn't that be funny? I could post them around the house. Seriously, I am gonna do it.....

Take care friend, let's plan a "get together" soon!

Love,
Kelley

Anonymous said...

I'm with Kelley, Lelia, you just seem to have such a way of taking in sights or whatever, and using them to glorify God and provide pictures for those of us who learn by seeing and reading, as opposed to hearing and doing...

I have a wonderful children's book called the Flyaway Kite that illustrates for children exactly what you talked about. I'd look for it to remind me of the author, but my boy is pumping zeds so I won't disturb. It finishes with the verse "Where can I go from your spirit, where can I flee from you presence"... Oh, Lord, why would we ever want to............

Enjoy your day - you are such a blessing...

Amy said...

I love how you see the Lord in everything!

And you are right, He is definitely worth the catch!

God Bless,
Amy:)

Yolanda said...

This, SISTER, is a WORD!

Love you and MY GOD LOVES YOU TOO!

;0)


Isn't it awesome that the Hound of Heaven has chased us down, and we are in His fence?

Yolanda

Unknown said...

Such a GREAT WORD! :)

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca

Melanie said...

Hi, Lelia. This is such a great post! I love the sign you made imagining what the angels put in heaven when one of us get lost. It brought a smile to my face imagining the angels of heaven searching for the lost and lonely of this world. I am SO thankful that God cares so much for each of us and desires daily to bring us home to Him.

Have a great week!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

This is one of my favorite posts of yours. And you still look like a model!

Carol said...

I absolutely loved this one. The lost poster of you is such a great analogy! Love it!

Kimberly said...

Wow! This is fantastic, Lelia! I am now picturing a LOST poster of my brother, stapled around the streets of heaven. Thanks for giving me this picture of just how much my brother is pursued by the Father. :)

You are a blessing!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Hi Lelia,

I came over here from the comment you left at Lysa TerKerst's (Holly today) blog. Enjoyed reading your Lost and Found post.

God bless you,
Marilyn in Mississippi