Searching and Searching

Have you ever lost something--something that was very valuable to you--and couldn't find it no matter how hard you looked, and no matter how many places you looked? i personally think that is one of life's most frustrating experiences. i absolutely HATE it when i can't find something, and really NEED to find it!

And this morning, that is what i am experiencing. i have looked everywhere and have only one last place to look, in HOPES of it being there. (in fact, there's a saying that, Why is it that the thing you are looking for, is always in the LAST place you look?! of course, given any thought, that saying makes no sense because once you find it, you obviously stop looking---thereby making that the last place that you look!)

things seem to be going completely haywire for a few very special loved ones and i feel helpless in correcting their situations. serious big time stuff, that they are facing--granted, while not life-threatening, still serious in the daily face-off with life's happenings. and serious enough that as my concerns FOR them mount, i have lost my JOY today.

JOY is that "thing" that, yes!--it IS very valuable to me. but i can't find it anywhere this morning and that is very frustrating. there are situations and issues that i am rather helpless in remedying no matter how MUCH i want to just FIX everything for those i love and care about! i know right well that i am not alone in these feelings, and you may, if not now, then previously or yet in the future, also experience this loss of JOY over hurting for others.

the last place i'll look--which by now i SHOULD have learned to look there FIRST!!!--is my Bible.

okay, WOW....perhaps i HAVE looked there before when my JOY was "MIA," cause i just turned to the bookshelf behind me, picked up my little Bible, opened it up to find where it says: "the JOY of the Lord is my strength"--and believe it or not, IT OPENED TO THE EXACT PAGE IN NEHEMIAH (chapter 8, verse 10)!!! i kid you NOT! i repeat: WOW!!!!

beginning in verse 9 thru 12, Living Bible translation, "All the people began sobbing when they heard the commands of the law. Then Ezra the priest, and I as governor, and the Levites who were assisting me, said to them, 'Don't cry on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God--it is a time to celebrate with a hearty meal, and to send presents to those in need, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You must not be dejected and sad! And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, 'That's right! Don't weep! For this is a day of holy joy, not of sadness.' So the people went away to eat a festive meal and to send presents; it was a time of great and joyful celebration because they could hear and understand God's words."

i KNEW i should've looked there first! Sometimes the only present i can offer is prayer for those who are hurting or facing challenges, decisions and huge hurdles.

Lost+Items Searching Life+Challenges Bible Joy Prayer