I lost my white gold earring the other evening as I was out walking in our driveway. I knew I was going to lose it sometime or other because it seemed to unlatch easily when I didn’t intend for it to. So, when I looked in the mirror and noticed it was missing, I wasn’t surprised but very disappointed that it finally happened.
By the time I noticed, it was already getting dark outside and I knew I'd never find it until daylight. So, the next morning, before church, I walked the path I'd walked the night before very slowly, searching desperately for the earring my husband had bought me for Christmas.
But I didn't see it.
I told my husband and he also went outside and searched but to no avail.
We went to church and I figured it was long gone. At a minimum, I thought one of us would run over it with a vehicle. I tried not to be upset but felt disturbed that I'd lost the earring that my husband had taken such care in picking out for me. (I'd noted my Christmas list two years in a row...finally, I got them. I couldn't believe now I lost one of them.)
Plus, this was not the first time I'd lost a nice piece of jewelry that he'd bought me. I also lost an engagement ring set he bought me for our five year anniversary. I was sick over that, as well.
Luckily, two weeks later, I saw something glinting from the drawer where I kept my hair clipper thingies and there was my ring! So, I was determined I would find this earring, as well!
That night, when I went for my walk again on the driveway that goes in a big circle around our house, I had a small amount of hope that I might possibly find it. But my husband had cut the grass and there were grass clippings everywhere which lowered my expectations. I walked and thought and kept my eyes peeled.
After a few circles around the house, I walked by where my husband was standing and saw a negative image of a circle in my mind. I stopped. Took a few steps back, pulled the earphones from my ears and looked. My husband said, "What is it?" I said, "I thought I saw something."
I looked more closely at the area I'd just scanned and there was the white gold hoop earring laying in the grassy area where the car wheels didn't destroy it. I picked it up and handed it to him with a big grin on my face. He couldn't believe I found it and neither could I! But I was extraordinarily happy with myself!
I don't know if you've ever lost something that you love before but it is a terrible feeling. Then, if you are lucky enough to find it, how wonderful it feels!
It reminds me of the parable in the Bible of the lost sheep.
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not 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."
Luke 15:4-7
There is rejoicing in heaven over one person who turns away from their sin. Just one.
I know how wonderful it feels to find something I love that I've lost but we have NO idea what kind of party breaks out in heaven when one of us says NO to the world and YES to God. We have no clue how happy it makes Him when we choose His way over our way.
So, say YES and get this party started!