Once was lost....

It was just a scarf. But it was one that I loved and that represented so much to me.


It was a gift from my mother-in-law. But it was one that I picked out myself.

It was one of the first things that I bought that my daughter said,
“Cool. Can I borrow it sometime?”


Oooooh... I have now morphed from classic (aka -“boring”) mom to funky (aka - “cool-er", not yet totally cool) mom. I’ve been trying to move away from my typical traditional styling with some trendy fashion pieces. The scarf was one of my breakthrough items.

And it kept me warm - a practical bonus.

Now it was gone.

Driving home from dinner and a movie Saturday night, for no apparent reason, I got that heightened sense something was amiss. My nerves tingled. The hairs on my head prickled. It was that “spidey-sense” feeling. Where was my scarf? I knew, just knew for sure, that it was gone forever.

Arriving home, I called the restaurant, waited on hold for over 15 minutes while they searched, but alas, with no luck. Certain that I’d have worse luck at the mega-movie theater, I felt despair, but called their “Guest Services” anyway. No one ever answers that line. I know, I’ve tried before.


Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring....


“AMC Garden State Plaza, Guest Services, May I help you?”


“Duh, Uh, ... you’re really there??”


“Yes ma’am. How can I help you?”


“I lost a scarf there tonight. In Theater # 14. Any chance you have it?”


“Please describe it.”


(Are you kidding me? If you don’t have it, just say so. Why waste my time and yours?)


“Well, it sounds gross, but it’s sortof brown, red, orange and purple. And it’s not flat, it’s round.”


Pause.


(I know she’s thinking, Why would anyone want something like that back?)


“Hold on. Let me check.”


Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick....


“Ma’am, there’s something here that might be it. You can come to Guest Services tonight.”


Elation...., could it be? “I can’t come back tonight. Can you hold it 'til Monday?”


“Uh, sure.”


“My name is Su.......”


“We can’t put your name on it. It might not be yours.”


“Oh, okay.”


Why wait until Monday? On Sunday afternoon, I stopped in at AMC Guest Services and shared my dilemma with the hip-hop fashionista clerk.


She disappeared into the lost-and-found black hole. When she returned, she held out my beloved scarf on both hands away from her torso as if she was holding roadkill.


With dismay, “Is this it????”        


“Oh, thank you so-o-o much. It may not mean much to you, but means the world to me.” I circled the scarf around my neck and headed back out into the cold.



What exactly does this all mean? Is there a message to be gleaned here?




Well, first of all, someone cared enough to bring my bedraggled scarf to a place where it could be redeemed. And 30 years ago, someone cared enough to share the gospel with me so that I could be redeemed. Who cared enough about you to share the gospel? Have you brought someone to your home or to church or out for coffee lately who needs to hear the good news?

My scarf clearly wasn't the clerk’s style, and sometimes, people just don’t appeal to us. But they appeal to God and mean the world to Him, and because of that, they must mean the world to us, too. Is there someone unlovely that you need to see God's way?

OK, this next one is a totally cheap illustration I know. When I was separated from my scarf, I sorely missed it. Being reunited with my scarf warmed my heart. Of course, this cannot begin to compare to the unfathomable love that God has for us, but you get the picture. Apart from Christ, we just are not complete. In Christ, we have joy, purpose, fulfillment, peace.
.
This scarf of mine was lost and now is found, so I began to celebrate -


“…For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:24
.

Do you know Him? Celebrate!

Susan

11 comments:

Maria said...

thanks for sharing. Glad you got the scarf back too.
Maria

Lisa said...

THANKS FOR THE UPLIFTING WORDS...GOT TO READ THIS EARLY TODAY AND SOOOO GLAD.

LOVE LISA

Nancy said...

is that last verse the "fashion" translation of the bible, you know like King James, NIV etc,

very entertaining piece, and you definitely made your point, by the way love the scarf!!!

Francisca said...

Great Devo. Once was lost. Rejoicing with you for the lost, and found scarf. Hallelujah Amen!!!

Blessings & Celebrating Jesus Christ!
Francisca

Diane said...

A very enjoyable read; with a powerful impact!

Hope all is well, haven’t seen you in a while; do you plan on attending EHS on Sunday – miss you guys
Diane

Sandi said...

That was great Susan! Parts of your story really made me laugh. Others made me smile. And yet others made me think! About Gods love for us (me)..

:-)

Sandi

Donna B. said...

I LOVE this message! Thank you for sharing your gift for making a connection between our everyday adventures and our eternity. And thank you for your humor. Great message!

Cathy said...

I love your story and your writing style; the story of the prodigal son is one of my favorites.
Cathy

Jill said...

I really enjoyed your "lost sheep dilemma"...it made me laugh but also filled my heart with joy...I totally get it, so thank you once again for sharing.
Jill

Unknown said...

Love the analogy, Susan! I left my cell phone at a restaurant last week and knew that it was my opportunity to share a gospel tract with the worker who handed it back to me. God is able to use these 'unfortunate mishaps' when our eyes and ears are open to His pland and His love for others. Thanks for the post! God Bless!

Karen Lange said...

Funny how sometimes the little things affect us in such a good way. Good thoughts, thanks for sharing:)