Tuesday, June 15

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep that was lost."
—Luke 15:6

We have all sorts of tricks for trying to find things we've lost—money or keys, important papers or treasured jewelry. We call on the saint who is supposed to help us find things, overturn the cushions on the sofa, rack our brain to re-create every move we have made since we discovered the item missing, consider ways to replace what we've lost, and ask others to join in the search with us.

Depending on the importance or worth of the item, we can feel as scattered as sand on a windy day. Then, when we have nearly given up, the item shows up—it just shows up as if it had not been avoiding us all this time, and we rejoice that what was lost has finally been found.

There is an even deeper pain and greater joy when it is a relationship that is lost and found. It might be a family bond that is reconciled and restored. Or a friendship that gets back on track after a long separation. Or the new life given to one we love who has fallen into unhealthy behaviors. It feels as if the pall of gray is pulled back and the sun shines again in our soul.

Consider what it must be like for God when we get lost in the cacophony of daily life and then finally "come to ourselves." The halls of heaven must be lined with angels' songs and the great heart of God must dance with delight.

O God, keep my eyes fixed on the joy that is to be found when what has been scattered and forgotten is gathered back up in the wonder of re-union.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2003.