Psalm 101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: Unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
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I remember being lost as a child in K-Mart. There I was walking blithely with my brother and father. Next thing you know, I’m on a completely different aisle feeling alone and terrified that I wandered away from my family. Sure there were other people around me, looking over me, and too busy shopping to care that this little girl seems to be lost. Thankfully, I found an employee that kindly announced that I was lost, where to find me, and made herself a safe space until my Father came to my rescue. Needless to say, he was grateful to hold me tightly in his arms and made sure I was reminded the dangers of wandering away.

What’s even more touching about this story is the fact that this same concept reigns true for us as believers in Christ. Oftentimes, we wander away because our eyes tell us that there is something better, someone better, some place better than next to our Father. The pleasures of this world, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life will have us walk away from the provision and protection of God. At first, pursuing the desire felt right, freeing, and rewarding because I was able to touch the gleaming toys that were calling my name. Soon after, that desire was overcome by a swallowing sensation of loneliness, despair, and feeling unprotected because my Father was nowhere in sight.

What I love about my story is that once I realized I wandered too far, there was a protocol set by K-Mart for children who were lost. Not only that, I was reminded of my dad’s instructions to find an employee and relay to that person that I was lost and need to find my parents. As believers, we have to remember that we too, have a protocol to follow when we wander away from God. Unlike my earthly father, God is always within reach even though I can’t see Him and if He feels far away. My feelings about where I am does not change the capacity of God’s Love to pull me out of the ditch I so willingly climbed into and reconcile me back as He holds me lovingly in His Arms. His love that brings peace as I’m coming back into alignment and correction to stay the course when my flesh wants to direct me otherwise.

I hope you know that this wasn’t just a cute story connecting my childhood to my Christianity but a point of hope for any of you who may find yourself lost and have wandered away from the faith. Know that God is patiently waiting for your heart to return to Him in repentance and humility so that He can restore you and mend your brokenness. You have an opportunity to come back into the fold and live in the freedom that Jesus promised for you. I pray you are released from the grips of shame and feel the warm embrace of our Heavenly Father on today.

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