Lost but found...

I have a pretty bracelet that is very meaningful to me.  It isn't a bracelet that could be easily replaced.  Each charm was lovingly picked out for me by a family member or a friend.  Each charm has meaning to me and when I wear it I remember who gave me which charm, what the charm represents, and feel loved. One day I went to put it on and could not find it. I knew the time frame of when I last saw it. I did not want my family to know that I had been careless with this precious bracelet. I prayed asking God to show me where it was. I began looking in all the places I might have put it.  When it was not in these places I began to think maybe it was lost for good.  This week while Jim was in Kenya I decided to start going through drawers and any place I could think that it might be. All week I looked for the bracelet, always praying as I was looking, asking God to show me where it was.In the process I cleaned out desk drawers and even a cabinet.  I looked in pockets of coats and pants. There was no where else I could think to look.  It was gone and I felt so sad.  
I had been walking for exercise but had not walked since winter, except for short little walks with our dog.  I decided now was the time to get back into walking.  I got my shoes from my closet and sat down on the steps to put them on. I put the first one on and when I started to put my second one on I could not put my foot in. Wondering what was wrong I put my hand in and there was ... my bracelet along with a necklace and a pair of earrings.(we live in a two story house and I often put things together to carry it all upstairs!)

I was so excited and began to shout out loudly, "Thank you Jesus!  I found my bracelet!" I was so happy.  I immediately called a friend that I had asked to pray that I would find it. I wanted her to rejoice with me! I found my bracelet!

Today as I was thinking about how thankful to the Lord I was
 to have found this precious bracelet, I thought of a couple parables from the Bible.

 Luke 15:3-10 

 Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

“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.”

The Bible tells us God pursues that one that is lost and when a sinner repents, great rejoicing takes place in heaven. Wow! Just as I didn't give up looking for my bracelet He does not give up on us. Think about it...God loves us individually!!! When we repent of our sins, we receive forgiveness and God rejoices!!! I like that. 

You are precious to God!