Scripture: Luke 15:24 (NIV): “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.”

Message: Oh no!  My purse went missing!  Thankfully it wasn’t my “main” purse with my ID and wallet. The lost purse was only used when I went walking.   It contained items like a mini flashlight, a security whistle, umbrella, and my emergency inhaler.  I could live without those things if I had to, but still, I was upset.

The last place I remembered carrying it was during my walk around our community park.  I stopped at the restroom before heading home and was sure I’d left it on the hook.  I called the Park Ranger’s Station to report my missing purse, but they did not find it.

I looked in my car on the floorboard, my house, everywhere I could think of… to no avail. 

A few days later the thought of my missing purse struck again.  Oh Lord, “please help me find it.”  Shortly thereafter, I walked into my home office.  “WHAT!?” I exclaimed in triumphant jubilation: “I found it!  I found it!”  The small navy-blue purse had been camouflaged as it lay on the seat of a chair of the same color.  I had walked past it several times, never seeing it.

My JOY at finding this missing purse reminded me of how our God, and all of Heaven, rejoices with Him when one who is lost, is found.  How blessed we are that God had a plan of salvation to save the world from sin, to rescue us from our flawed humanity, and to ensure us a place at His Heavenly Banquet.

God never stops looking, finding, and redeeming those who are lost.  He leads us onto paths of righteousness.  Goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.  Those who believe in Christ Jesus will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that we are beloved by You!  Your love pursues those who don’t know Jesus, and those who are lost.  You relentlessly seek to bring us Home.  We ask that all hearts are humble and open to being found by You.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Michele Hudson