The lost coin

Bill and I have spent the weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA. We walk for exercise each day. On two different occasions this weekend we found coins while walking. Once was a dime and a penny and the other time was a dime. We always pick up these lost coins. And then put them in a bank that we keep in our truck.

We love finding these coins. We get excited. 

I don't know what they meant to the person that dropped them. Maybe they just shrugged and thought, "Oh well, just a coin." I doubt they searched and searched for the dropped coins. We seldom find quarters (which someone might bother to bend over and pick up,) and finding a dollar bill is very rare.

But this reminded me of the story that Jesus told about a woman that lost one of her coins. She lit up the house, got out the broom, got down on her knees into the dirt and searched. She hunted. She persisted. And then she found it! And she celebrated.

Of course Jesus was talking about the lost soul. The one that is lost. 

Am I willing to shine the light, gather my tools and resources, understand them where they are? Am I willing to be patient? 

Or are they just too common or too invaluable for me to even bother with?

Incomplete

When I woke up this morning I realized that I had gone to bed without completing my paperwork from our last run. We don't get paid for each trip until the paperwork is completed, scanned to our company, and processed by them. I rarely forget to finish it. So I was a little frustrated with myself when I realized it.

But I got down to the business of getting it done.

In my frustration and impatience with myself I thought about my spiritual self. 

I am a work in progress, meaning, not yet completed. Does God get impatient and frustrated with my lack of completion? Does He shake His head when He has to mold something in me that He had already molded once before but I did not hold the shape? 

I know that God is working on me and in me. And I know that He is patient and kind and is working on me continuously to bring me to completion. 

Thank You, Father God, You are the potter. I am the clay. Mold me and make me. This is what I pray.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NASB)

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2 NASB)

STORGE

There are 4 distinct Greek words translated by the English word love.

STORGE is the word for the tender love and affection which exists between family members; it is the love of kindred. However in God's word it is only used in a negative sense and the word when translated means, "without natural affection."

To be without the affection of family is a sin. Tender feelings are expected in the home.

I read these words this morning in my Bible studying and I wondered for a long time on this. Everyone, I think, desires those tender, affectionate feelings in the home. But it seems to me, that very often it is lacking. And I wonder why. 

As a mother I am always trying to gather my family together. I am at my happiest when I have all my kids under my roof. This doesn't happen very often and never for very long. 

My thoughts wandered for over an hour this morning. I was thinking about the homes of my kids and my friends. What kind of tenderness and affection is thriving or lacking in these homes? 

Then I wondered why I was wondering so long and hard on this. What do you want me to see God? What do you want me to say or do? Show me my work and make me willing and able to do it.

The lost coin

Bill and I have spent the weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA. We walk for exercise each day. On two different occasions this weekend we found coins while walking. Once was a dime and a penny and the other time was a dime. We always pick up these lost coins. And them put them in a bank that we keep in our truck.

We love finding these coins. We get excited. 

I don't know what they meant to the person that dropped them. Maybe they just shrugged and thought, "Oh well, just a coin." I doubt they searched and searched for the dropped coins. We seldom find quarters (which someone might bother to bend over and pick up,) and finding a dollar bill is very rare.

But this reminded me of the story that Jesus told about a woman that lost one of her coins. She lit up the house, got out the broom, got down on her knees into the dirt and searched. She hunted. She persisted. And then she found it! And she celebrated.

Of course Jesus was talking about the lost soul. The one that is lost. 

Am I willing to shine the light, gather my tools and resources, understand them where they are? Am I willing to be patient? 

Or are they just too common or too invaluable for me to even bother with?

My photos with scripture