Oh, Where Could it Be?

Have you ever lost something, and you asked yourself, “oh where it could be?” Have you ever found something that you were looking for, but it took more than a day, or maybe a month, or even a year until it magically reappeared or it was found? How did you feel after you found what you were looking for? Pretty happy right? You probably were relieved too depending upon what was lost.

Well, my story of finding something that was lost involves my passport. Let’s rewind back a few years because I want to set the stage for you.

My best friend lived in Buffalo, New York at the time and if you’re reading this and you have a best friend that lives long-distance you’ll understand, making time to visit to see one another is important. Planning weekend visits, putting together fun packages, cards, daily and weekly phone calls keeps our friendship close even though we live in two different states. So, anyway back to my story, Erin and I made plans that were close to her birthday weekend so that we could celebrate together. When I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday she enthusiastically said, “how about you come to Buffalo!” She began to eagerly tell me about one of her all-time favorite places to eat which is a restaurant called Mandarin that is right across the border of New York into Canada. It’s an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet, and we LOVE sushi!   

The following week as I was packing for the trip, Erin called me to remind me to not forget to bring my passport since we were going to be driving into Canada for dinner. After hanging up I quickly went to the closet and grabbed my passport. I curiously opened it to see if it had expired. To my relief my passport was GOOD for one more year however, it was still in my maiden name…da da daaaa! I reached for my phone and called Erin. I hastily told her about how my last name in my passport was still in my maiden name. Of course, she laughed and said, “oh my gosh that’s hilarious!” which led to my next question, “Erin, what if they don’t let me back into United States because my last name does not match my license?” Erin laughed again, because she knows how I am and said “you will be fine.” Which I responded, “are you sure?” “Yes, I’m sure B you’ll be okay” my best friend said confidently. I took in a big SIGH of relief!

So off I went to Buffalo! Everything went according to plan we showed our passports to go into Canada, which was a breeze, we ate as much sushi as we could possibly humanly store in our bellies and of course stopped at Tim Hortons for coffee before we made our way to the New York border. (Coffee has a way of calming my nerves) We arrived safely back to the USA without any questions or investigations! (I know some of you were really worried about me.)

Now let’s fast forward 3 years, my passport is now expired at this point and so was my husband’s passport. Not only did my last name need to be updated, but now my whole passport needed to be redone. My husband, Micah and I thought it would be best to get both our passports renewed so that they would be valid for any trips in the future. Well…. I could NOT find my passport anywhere!

I looked in drawers, rummaged through bags, carefully checked all our folders and places we file important paperwork. It was LOST! After looking and searching some more I remembered my trip to Buffalo and that being the last time I physically saw and had my passport. I called Erin and asked her to look around her house, I scrolled through pictures on my phone to see what purse I had brought with me that weekend so I could look inside of that, I even went through every pocket in my suitcases, etc

 It was NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!

I spent days racking my brain about where my passport could be. I remember coming to the conclusion that I would just report my passport LOST and bite the bullet to apply for a new one. I resolved the sentimental value it had and put it to rest. And the years went by… until one day. One day in 2021...

 It was just a regular day. I was not looking for anything specific in my jewelry dresser but just wanted to refresh my memory on where pieces were and consolidate….and there it was! My passport!!!

I FOUND it!

It was tucked in a heart shaped tin box just sitting in my jewelry dresser! I couldn’t believe it! I ran to grab my phone and immediately texted my husband and my best friend typing… “You’ll never believe what I just FOUND!” They were so EXCITED that I finally FOUND my passport! I astonishedly explained it was here in a box this whole time! They REJOICED and CELEBRATED in that moment with me.

It’s a good day when you find something that you have been adamantly searching for right?

Similarly, there is a story in Luke 15:8-10 where it talks about the parable of the lost coin.

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one.

Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and

 search carefully until she finds it? 

And when she finds it, she calls her friends

and neighbors 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.”

Our God will go the distance EVERY time to find the ONE who is lost.

There is a party ROARING with REJOICING in heaven when ONE person repents and decides to follow Jesus.

When the LOST is FOUND, it’s time to REJOICE!

To wrap up my story, I don’t know why it took over 4 years to find my passport and it’s crazy to think that it was just under my nose for all those years so to speak, but what I do know is that nothing is wasted with God. God is gracious, full of compassion, love and He rejoices over us.

If you have lost something…trust God and pray.

If you know someone who is lost… trust God and pray.

I encourage you today to take some time and pray for those who are lost. Those who are not living in a relationship with Jesus. Pray God’s plans and promises be fulfilled in their lives. Pray that their hearts will be tender, ears to be sensitive and open to the truth of His love and that they will be drawn by His Kindness that will lead them to repentance.

The Lord is faithful and He hears your prayers.

Zephaniah 3:17 says this:

“The Lord your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

 We can join in and REJOICE because God is GOOD!