Lost and found (Part 1) 

Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.” In the same way, I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Matthew 15:8-10)

A couple of weeks ago I lost an earring that is very precious to me. I was sitting outside by Richmond Bridge having a coffee, when I felt my ear and noticed that the earring was missing. The earrings had been a gift from my husband Steve. My heart sank and my mind raced. I concluded that the earring was probably at home, perhaps I had even forgotten to put it in that morning. 

On reaching home I started the hunt. Every floor was swept and every possible place searched. I told Steve and he helped me look, but no joy. Steve asked me if there was any time during that day that I had put on and taken off a face mask, as that could have loosened the earring. Of course - that was it! I remembered struggling to remove my mask after buying the coffee. I resolved to go back as soon as it was light the next day to look for the earring. 

But during the evening I became more worried and upset about the earring, my heart was pounding and I felt sick, so we resolved to go back to look for it there and then. All the time I was silently praying that it would be returned to me.

So, there we were, in the dark, by Richmond Bridge, with our torches, looking through dust and gravel for a single stud earring. We were about to give up, when suddenly … we found it! We were amazed, and I was so happy and grateful that this time my heart was skipping with joy.  

Ever since then I have been thinking about the parable of The Lost Coin. Through this parable Jesus shows us how delighted God is when we repent and turn to Him; when we are “found” in Christ. 

Have we really taken hold of the wonderful fact that God the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth rejoices over each of us? That He delights in us? By praising Him, whatever our situation, we can actually bring joy to God. 

Even if today you are feeling a bit dusty and lost, remember how precious you are to God, and that He rejoices over you and your praise delights Him.