“Where did I put those keys?”
I was standing at the kitchen table, rummaging through my purse. Of course I thought they were right there. And of course they weren’t. Great. Now I’m going to be late. A five minute dash visiting my last stops around the house and I finally locate the lost keys.
I’m out in the door in a flash.
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There I am. I’m the eight year old who has buried her eyes in her elbow while leaning against a tree. “98-99-100!” It’s twilight on a summer evening. My siblings and half the neighborhood are over to play Hide and Seek, and I’m ‘it’. Finally reaching 100, I step out into the yard that looks so empty. But I know there are at least eight bodies crammed somewhere into their hiding places.
Ten minutes later, I locate the last hideout. My brother emerges from the overgrown evergreen bushes, and I run away to hide. As I run I hear, “1-2-3…”
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Lost and Found. I was looking for keys; I was looking for the hiders. In both of these situations, I had to find something that was lost. It was up to me to do it by myself.
These stories remind me of my own personal journey of faith.
I knew something was missing, that I needed to find God. There was a restlessness in my soul that wouldn’t let me find peace until I found him. Just as I had to find my keys and my brother, I am the only one who can find and accept Christ for myself. No one can do that for me.
There are several parables in the bible about lost items…the lost coin, the lost sheep. They seem like small things. But now I understand the driving need to find what is lost. That one sheep or one coin was as important to their owners, as finding Christ was to me.
Another thing I learned from the parables, and my own experiences, is that once I have found what I’m looking for, the search is over. After all, when I found my keys, I didn’t put them down and start looking for them again. When I found my brother, it was ‘game over.’ I didn’t run away from the evergreens and look for him somewhere else.
When I found the Lord, I found my peace, joy and place in him. It’s ‘game over.’ But you know, even though I realize that, I still have to fight the urge to run off and find peace in other things. Old habits die hard.
But if my eight year old self can figure out that finding the last player means no more searching, then I guess I can too. I can stop looking for peace now. God is with me, so no more searching. After all, you don’t hunt for something you already have.
Lost and Found. Once I was lost. But now I have found the peace that I need. May God give me the grace to stay at home with him.
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
Linking today with:
“May God give me the grace to stay at home with him.” Yes! Why are we prone to wander? I was at soaking prayer a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted nothing more than to stay right there. In that sweet atmosphere. At peace. The minstrel said, “Joy is not the absence of fear. It’s the presence of the Lord.” That’s where I want to make my home. Always. No more searching.
Hi Crystal! You are so right! I know that I have wonderful experiences with the Lord and then somehow just forget? Or feel like I have to find peace in other things. So silly.
Let’s make a pact to not search elsewhere anymore! We know where our peace is, and where there is peace, there is his power.
Have a restful night!
Ceil
He found me. I found Him. We found each other?
I’m grateful that I am His and He is mine.
You make deep truths comprehensible, Ceil. He speaks through you to us. What a gift, what a joy!
Hi Linda! You know, I thought just a bit about that same thing. Do I find God or does he find me? But it seems like I had to go and look and be open to his movements, so I went with me looking for him.
Thank you for your lovely comment about my writing style. You are such a wonderful, supportive blog-friend! What a wonderful day it was when we met through our blog sites 🙂
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
These words…”When I found the Lord, I found my peace, joy and place in him. “…beautiful! That is exactly what each of us has found in Him when we were lost, Ceil…and much grace abundant and free. Thank you for sharing so beautifully here.
Hi Dianna! Thank you for your supportive comment Dianna. I really appreciate it!
It’s so true that we all find our best peace with God. And don’t you think that we have no idea what peace really is until we meet him in prayer? As you say, the grace is so overwhelming, and all because we are his children.
Great to see you today 🙂
Ceil
Oh Ceil, I just love this. I know I’ve said this before but I love how you share life stories and connect them with your faith . . . you so stay true to your blog name. Something about this post makes it quite possibly one of my favorites. A message maybe I needed hear. Love how God works. Blessings to you, dear friend. Much love. xoxo
Hi Beth! Thank you for your lovely comment Beth. I really appreciate your words, it really is an encouragement. I’m so glad you liked the post. Aren’t we so blessed to have met through our blogs? And we really have met in ‘real life’ too!
God bless you and yours my friend,
Ceil
Lost & Found—great post!
Hi Lulu! Thank you so much. I’m so glad you liked it!
Have a blessed day my friend,
Ceil
🙂 🙂 🙂
I love the comparisons here. We’ve all lost our keys, played hide and seek and I think most of us have searched for God. Thanks for sharing these modern day parables.
Hi Mari! Thank you for your lovely comment Mari, I really appreciate it. it is in the little, everyday things that God shows himself. It’s not always in the thunder, sometimes it’s in that whisper.
Isn’t it nice that we have so many life events in common?
Have a peaceful evening,
Ceil
Ah yes, so good to be found! I love the parable of the sheep. Jesus seeks and saves the lost and I for one am so very thankful He saved me.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hi Debbie! I am getting a new appreciation for the parables, it seems like I get new insights each time I study them. So layered!
I pray I will always be found in him.
Happy Thursday!
Ceil
Great words Ceil! You always give me so much to think about and help me in ways that I can help others. What a blessing you are! 🙂 Thank the Lord for having our paths cross.
Hi Joyful! Thank you for your supportive comment! I am so grateful that you like the posts here. I agree! It is wonderful to be connected through our blogs. God is good!
Have a blessed day 🙂
Ceil
PS I like your gravitar!
Ceil: This is such a touching entry. I love your comparisons between the lost keys, the game of hide and seek, and the once-lost state of our souls. This touched my heart.
Hi Cecelia! I am so happy that this post touched you. I think it is a wonderful thing how we can encourage each other through our blogs. What a great gift we have in each other.
Thank you for your encouraging comments. I really appreciate them!
Ceil
As I read this a line from Amazing Grace kept running through my mind: “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
So many times we stumble through life, looking for success or peace or acceptance, when God offers it right where we are–we are just too blinded to see Him.
Good thoughts, Ceil!
Hi Pam! I agree, that song was going through my mind too. And I hope that now that I do see him, I will stop roaming all over the place looking for a peace I can already possess.
Thank you for your kind comment!
Have a great afternoon,
Ceil
What is it about lost keys that puts you in a sheer panic?!! I think in the end, we’re alone on this journey, just trying to find our way. We have people around us but mostly it’s our journey with God.
Hi Stephanie! I totally agree. Our friends and family have been given to us to support us, but the journey is ours.
Have a peaceful evening,
Ceil
“I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see.” Amazing Grace…and peace, and comfort, and strength, and life and love…all are found in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the ONE Who found us when we were lost…and the One we found, when we were lost. Such a beautiful relationship we have…and it does bring everlasting peace to the wandering soul. We just need to come on in…what did we used to say….”olly olly in free!” or something like that… We are “in free”, because the lost has been found! This was a wonderful reminder today. Thank you. I’m no longer lost. I’ve been found. “olly olly in free”.
Hi Pam! I really like that Pam, thank you! We used to say “Ollie Ollie oxen free-o” I have no idea what that means! But we all yelled it anyway. And we were all free, just as you said. Beautiful insight!
I hope I’ll always have that beautiful relationship with the Lord.
Have a peaceful evening my friend!
Ceil
“May God give me the grace to stay at home with him.” Praying this with you. We are so prone to stray to find our peace in other things. But it’s a comfort to know that even though we may at times lose sight of Him, He never loses sight of us! Thank you, Ceil, for sharing this.
Hi Trudy! I completely agree with your comment. I am the one who strays thinking I’ll find peace somewhere else. I hope I learn soon that my peace is in him!
Great to see you again 🙂
Ceil
OH, I’m so thankful Jesus wooed you to him! He never gives up seeking us…
Hi Jeanette! I’m so thankful too my friend. He never stops calling. I pray I’ll always answer!
Hope you had a great time with the family 🙂
Ceil
Love this post!!! I’m so glad that God is mine and He provides….something that NOTHING in this world can offer!!!
Hi Deb! I’m so glad you liked the post today, thank you! And you are so right. The peace that is his is like nothing on earth. I just need to remember that!
Have a restful night,
Ceil
Wonderful story telling, Ceil and a great example. Reminded me how I keep seeking the one who seeks me first. Just imagine God playing Hide and Seek with us. I see him smiling with delight with that thought. What fun to play with God!
Hi Jean! Thank you for your kind comment my friend. And I like the idea of ‘playing with God’. I do think he would like that! What Father doesn’t like a little play time with his children?
Have a restful night Jean,
Ceil
I was thinking of you yesterday, my friend, after I dropped off my daughter at the public high school to take her PSAT. I was driving away and noticed that the ballooning spiders where back…a seasonal phenomena where baby spider, riding on long, beautiful, think strands of silk-like thread float through the air hoping to land on their new home (car, tree, telephone line, etc.) I thought of this baby spider taking lift off for its new spot in life as a metaphor for my “baby” girl taking her PSAT…leading to her next chapter in life. And then I thought…I think Ceil would agree! 🙂
Hi Patty! Ok, at first I’m thinking ‘Patty is thinking of me because of spiders. This probably won’t end well…’
But then!! Great thoughts there my friend. Beautiful insight, what a grace to see your own life in the life of nature. Love it 🙂
You are so right, I completely agree! And I hope your daughter had good feelings about her test?
Have a restful night my friend,
Ceil
I am always blessed when I stop by to visit you Ceil! 🙂 Oh how He never gives up His search for us, does He? When we are lost, He isn’t content until He finds us and carries us home on His shoulders. And God’s heart is filled with joy when His lost people are found! With great joy we can allow the Spirit to find us, use us, and make the most of our life for Him! ♥
Sending bunches of blessings and hugs your way girlfriend; have a wonderful weekend! ♥
Hi Denise! I think we both encourage each other through our blogs! It’s great that we found each other 🙂
I like that image of being carried home. It reminds me of art work of Jesus carrying the lost lamb on his shoulders. It’s such a joyful scene, you are so right.
Thank you for your generous blessings and love, I send them right back to you too! I hope you have a restful and joyful weekend too,
Ceil
I remember as a child leaning against a tree playing hide and seek and counting 98, 99, 100 …
There was no one there … I counted to 1000 that day … and waited by that tree until dusk looking for my friends and cousins …
As I grew up … still counting … I discovered they have all immigrated to Australia, Canada, USA and everywhere to keep away from me.
Must change my after-shave lotion.
I suppose Ceil, the most valuable thing we can loose is our Faith.
God bless.
Hi Victor! What a dirty trick!! You must know how to count up really high too?
I suppose that you are right about our faith. It is a prized possession because without it, there just wouldn’t be any hope. (I’m sure you have faith that your cousins and friends will return?)
Thank you for a smile today 🙂
Ceil
Hi Ceil! Amen to this lovely encouragement! I was just watching reflection on Daystar TV, this verse clearly stood out to me. “You will keep him in perfect peace Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isa 26:3). And your post has beautifully confirmed that to me. Thank you so much!
I hope you have a relaxing and peaceful weekend 🙂
Blessings and more!
Hi Shade! I really like to hear how anything that I write serves as confirmation. It’s just a wonder how God uses us for each other on a daily basis…such a grace and gift.
I pray you’ll have rest and peace on your weekend too my good friend,
Ceil
Ceil, your reflection reminded me of several lines in Francis Thompson’s poem, “The Kingdom of God.” In one part of the poem he asks, “Does the fish soar to find the ocean?/The eagle plunge to find the air/That we ask of the stars in motion/If they have rumor of thee there?” Then later in the same poem he writes, “Tis ye, ’tis your estranged faces/That miss the many splendored thing.” Thanks for reminding me of the ever present reality of God in every aspect of my life–and for sending me searching for a copy of one of my favorite poems!
Hi Sr.! What a beautiful poem, I have never heard of it. But I do agree with the sentiment. I hope to always learn to notice better day to day the workings of the Lord in my life. And really it’s a universal event. He works, ever the same, ever with love in each of our lives.
I hope you find your copy!
Have a restful and joyful weekend 🙂
Ceil
Ah, yes…. I was lost and so glad I am found! I am holding steadfast in His Word and waiting to see what is next….. I just love your little stories that go with a great lesson.
I hope you are doing well. It is now starting to settle down a bit here and I am enjoying my time of quiet. The guys are hunting and it’s just us girls. We’ve been enjoying our trips to town and just hanging out. Love these moments!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Amy
Hi Amy! Sounds like you are having a relaxing few days, what fun! I’m sure you will have stories galore of the resting time you have ahead of you. Enjoy them!
It’s always great to see your name pop up here Amy. Hope you have the best, coziest weekend 🙂
Ceil
Ceil, I love this! To stop looking. Oh, I want to remember that. I too run back to old sources of security . . . when I’ve already been found. Your lost and found analogy made me think of the things I foolishly try to hold back and hide from God. What a great word for me today. Thank you!!
Hi Deb! Thank you for your supportive comment, I really appreciate it! Maybe while you were running you saw me? I do that all the time. Well, I hope I’m getting a little better anyway.
Thank you for your bloghop!
Have a joyful weekend 🙂
Ceil
Beautifully written, Ceil. Reminds me of one of my favorite hymns—Amazing Grace. So very true!
Hi Marcia! Thank you so much for your kind words about the post. I thought about that song too 🙂
Have a restful and joyful weekend!
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
I love your vivid examples and illustrations, identifying my self with having lost my keys … Yet it’s comforting to remember, that even with lost keys, it’s most important to have been found by Jesus, and to be surrounded by God’s peace and grace.
Blessings to your week,
Nina
Hi Nina! I’m so glad you like the post themes here. It just seems like God is calling to all of us even in the simple, everyday life events of our lives. It’s fun to see 🙂
You have a restful Sunday my friend,
Ceil
You have the best analogies and for that I am so grateful. One simple idea-lost and found-becomes a reminder that God first found us and now we need to accept Him to be found.
You connections to our lives takes faith to a place that we can relate to it and understand it easily, Love this post and you!
Blessings!
Hi Mary! Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate them. It’s fun to see all the ways that God teaches and shows love in the course of the day. He is always calling 🙂
Thank you for visiting today, it’s always so great to see you,
Ceil
Great post, Ceil! God delights in finding lost things, doesn’t He? I posted about this earlier this week in my JOY series. Your thoughts here were a nice follow up! Blessings.
Hi June! That is a really good point June. I must have missed that post of yours. I guess God is planting his idea about joy in both of us this week!
Have a restful night 🙂
Ceil
OH, this is so beautifully simple and profound. Thank you for pointing out that when we lose our keys, we don’t put them down and then go look for them again.
Hi Anita! Thank you for your kind words. I thought the idea of going on a search for something I already had was such a good image. I’m glad you thought so too!
Have a good Tuesday!
Ceil
Maybe that is why God says He will never leave us…he knows we can easily for just a moment lose Him…and heal ways finds us and brings us back. At my age I lose everything!!!!
Hi Dee! Thank you for reading two posts and commenting on it too. You are a such a great blog-friend!
You are so cute about the losing things! I ‘lose’ my glasses all the time, only to find them on my shirt, or even on my head. Yikes. But like the Lord, even when I think things are lost, they are really right in reach. Thanks be to God!
Blessings,
Ceil
He always finds…. gee my computer is glitching a lot tonight. 🙁
I completely understand Dee! No worries my friend 🙂