Lost & Found

As a third grader, our son Clayton was obsessed with a highly coveted, very expensive, and pretty nifty Yo-Yo. He had asked for this yo-yo since he turned nine that year. His Dad and I avoided the big purchase originally because we thought the yo-yo fad would quickly fizzle. When it did not, we were presented with a whole new dilemma... the yo-yo he wanted cost forty dollars!!

Yikes! This was no ordinary yo-yo. It had wooden ball bearings, a seven minute sleep time and it was a Bumble Bee... the yo-yo of the pros! So, in order to justify such an extravagant purchase, we attached the valuable prize to a highly valued accomplishment. Good grades! I scrimped and saved. I researched, shopped and searched for used yo-yos that would be acceptable, but, of course, only a brand new, official bumble Bee would do. So, when the report card arrived, we took the “straight A” boy to the mall and I reluctantly relinquished my forty dollars.

Now, before you think I was cheap or hesitant without reason, let me explain.

Our family had just moved that summer to Springfield, Missouri and moving is expensive! It just wasn’t the easiest summer to part with forty dollars-I knew how much it was costing me! But, he earned it and to be there to experience his utter joy as he became the proud owner was worth every penny!

A week after the big yo-yo purchase, we shopped the mall for some home furnishings. Clayton carried his new Bumble Bee in his pocket, occasionally pulling it out to walk the dog or go around the world. He was really enjoying it. But, after a few hours and a few stops, a panicked little voice exclaimed, “My yo- yo!! It’s gone!” We retraced our steps, asked clerks in the stores where we’d shopped if they’d seen the missing yo-yo, and grew more and more discouraged as we searched.

“I know someone took it.” Clay was convinced. I feared he was right. Even a yo-yo ignoramus could recognize that this yo-yo didn’t come from the dollar store! Now, he was heartbroken and I was even more frustrated about the forty dollar price tag!

Just then, Phil suggested we check back at the store where the yo-yo was purchased. Clay and I protested since we bought the yo-yo a week earlier. We hadn’t even walked by that store on this shopping venture. “Someone might have turned it in to them” Phil consoled. So, off we trudged to the yo- yo kiosk.

When we arrived, I told the salesman the sad saga. He went behind the counter and pulled out Clayton’s yo-yo explaining that someone had brought it to his store. Clayton quietly gasped. I, on the other hand, could barely contain my excitement. I broke into song!

“Praise God from whom all blessing flow!”

I was rejoicing, loud, and celebrating without care of my audience!

The sales guy just offered an awkward “yea” and Clayton was pretty quiet... I think he was a little embarrassed by his fanatical Mom!

I rejoiced the loudest because the yo-yo cost me the most. I knew its value so I understood that its return was worth a celebration. I knew the sacrifice that was required to acquire it in the first place, so I knew it was worth a party to celebrate its return.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the grumbling Pharisees about some lost things that were found and each one upon its return caused an all out party!

When the shepherd found his lost sheep, when the woman located her lost coin, when the father received back his lost son... party, party, party! Jesus told the crowd gathered in Capernaum that in the same way there is rejoicing in heaven over the lost being found!

You are that one lost sheep. You are so valuable to the Good Shepherd that He pursues you, scoops you up into His arms and rejoices. In other words, you are worth throwing a party for! For centuries the halls of heaven have resonated with the sound of great rejoicing each time a lost one has come home. Don’t ever underestimate whose rejoicing is the loudest in Heaven.

I’m sure the angels blow their trumpets and exclaim, “Hallelujah!” I can almost hear the saints that have gone before clapping, cheering, and praising. But I think there is probably one voice that is heard above the gleeful exaltation. There is one voice that thunders and exalts the loudest. It must be the voice of Father God leading the chorus of joy.

After all, He truly understands the cost. He truly recognizes your incredible worth.

My friend, He loves you.

In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God... Luke 15:7

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark,
and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET
http://www.jenniferrothschild.com
JR@jenniferrothschild.com

Based On: Nehemiah - The rebuilding of walls of Jerusalem

Decorations: We decorated with pink hard hats and tools.

Favors: Pink gloves & pink T-shirts (Hands to Work-- Hearts to God).

Description: A ladies event of fellowship and learning.

Lessons: Reviewing the Foundation, and Reconstruction & Renewing the Covenant. (We actually signed & sealed a Covenant with God.)

Of special note... we had a 20 ft. stone wall that all the ladies wrote their favorite Scripture on. It is so amazing that we plan to bring it back to our Church for all to see.

Submitted by: bonjour59@yahoo.com
Church: First Baptist Church of Blanchard, Louisiana

Out of all the ideas we recieved, ten "top" ideas were chosen and one name was drawn from those ten. The lucky winner will receive the following books:

• Women Mentoring Women by Vickie Kraft & Gwynn Johnson
• The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton
• Growing People Through Small Groups by David Stark & Betty Wieland
• Love Letters to God by Lynn D. Morrissey
• The Mom You are Meant to Be by Cheri Fuller
• and... A Women's Ministry Guide to Scrapbooking by Sandra Joseph

And the Winner is...

A Hope Chest of Treasures
Submitted by: Allora Leonhardt of Forsyth, Illinois

Congratulations Allora! Send your mailing address to robyne@womensministry.net and we will send your books!

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