Lost & Found

Six years ago on my 35th birthday, my husband gave me a beautiful bracelet. I love jewelry and this bracelet was made even more special to me by the giver (my husband) and the occasion (my birthday). So imagine how I felt 3 years later when I lost it! I was devastated.

It was insured, so we filed a claim and later I purchased a replacement bracelet. I got over the loss and life went on. Until my daughter pulled all the sofa cushions off of the sofa to build a tower with them and exclaimed "Look mom, I found your bracelet!"

Now some might think I was thrilled by this news, but actually my first thought was "quick, stuff it back into the sofa!" We'd already filed the claim, gotten the money and spent it on another bracelet. Not very graceful, huh? Of course I had to let the insurance company know, and we had to repay the money. So my first thought was not to be thrilled. (I am happy now to have it back. And having 2 bracelets isn't so bad when you realize you have 2 precious daughters whom you can pass them on to).

We are blessed to have a God who is more committed to us and finds us more precious, than I did that bracelet. If we become lost, he doesn't just replace us with a new believer. He continues to try and bring us back to him, regardless of the cost.

What once was lost, now is found. That is God's grace to us. Isn't it amazing?

Matthew 18:12-14 -- If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

Luke 15:3-7 -- Then Jesus told them this parable: "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.

Thankful Thursday - 5/14

Here are my 5 things, big or small, this week.

1. That you guys were so understanding about me dropping Wednesday for blogging. I used that writing time to do 2 articles, and submitted them for publication. Now I'm in the waiting phase.

2. I'm still faithfully going to the gym, only missing a few days since January. And boy are you guys good on accountability. Most of you gave me big grief for missing last week. But I'm all better and back to the gym!

3. School! I admit it. I enjoy the time while my kids are at school so I can do writing, meet with my friends, or even just do housework ALONE. I'm especially conscience of this now, as my 5 yr old only has 1 more week of school.

4. My kids! Yes, I enjoy my time without them, but my life wouldn't be complete without them! They are my heart & soul and I love the stuffing out of them. THANK YOU GOD FOR MY CHILDREN! (& my hubby).

5. My life. Don't you know your life isn't yours alone, but a gift from God? He came to give us life so we could live it abundantly! I am so thankful for my life through Jesus! Thank you Lord!

What are you thankful for today?

Good Intentions or Good Character?

Once upon a time I was in a committee meeting. (I've sat through a LOT of committee meetings in my time). On this particular committee we were deciding who should fill an open spot. A name came up, and I immediately thought it was the wrong name. I sat for a moment thinking how I could politely say that this person lacked follow through in my experience with them.

As I was formulating my thoughts, another committee member voiced their own reservations. I concurred. Then another, and another. When all was said and done, every person in the room shared how this person, while having the best of intentions, had failed to do what they promised.

After the meeting I wondered if this person realized how often they let people down. I wondered if they realized that they had become characterized as someone who had good intentions, but lacked follow through. Then I wondered how I would be characterized in a room full of people.

I realized that day, that your character is not defined by some epic moment in your life. Rather it is the sum of your daily actions. Are you characterized as reliable or unreliable? Are you characterized by being prompt or late? Are you characterized as caring or impatient?

Because people are noticing, whether you realize it or not. Your every day actions define your character.

What are your actions saying about you today?

Ruth 3:11 -- And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

Acts 17:11 -- Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

1 Corinthians 15:33 -- Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."