December 7, 2022
“I will search for the lost. I will bring back those who have wandered away.” ~ Ezekiel 34:4 ICB
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
Tuesday, I found something that I didn’t know I’d lost! Tuesday afternoon I took advantage of nice weather to blow the last of the leaves off the back yard. I’d been at it for the better part of an hour and happened to glance down. This is what I saw:
Lying amidst grass and leaves was my key ring, sporting the key fob for my car, a house key, a church key, and my fitness center card, all still attached to the belt clip that was supposed to be on my belt. I have no idea how the clip jumped off my belt although in hindsight it is possible that I had failed to put the clip fully on my belt, something that has not happened before.
If I had not spotted it, I am not sure I would have ever looked in the yard for it, assuming I’d misplaced it somewhere in the house. I do realize that the last sentence has four first-person singular pronouns. But it isn’t just about me. Anytime “it just so happens” God seems to be involved in some mysterious way. I prayed “thanks” for the rest of the day.
One of my favorite hymns is Amazing Grace, by John Newton. He didn’t know he needed grace until “it just so happened” that grace found him. He penned these words about it, “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”
“This grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.” ~ Anne
Wayfinding 