Archive article 21

Two stories of patience which was rewarded!

 I don’t know why but my mind went back to two very similar episodes concerning two brothers with similar situations but totally different reactions!

The first happened when the brother who had just left (in the thick darkness of a forest night!)  returned to the mountain home looking for a special key to the wheel he had just changed. He had just remembered that he didn’t know where he had put it, and it was vital for his SUV, so even though it was very late and he had left so as to be back in town ready for work on Monday morning, he came back to search for it – even though the entire family was on board!

And search he did. High and low. He began in the garage, then inside the vehicle, and then finally got a flashlight and headed down the rough mountain road which winded its way through the woods. He left the family on board and the children, quite naturally at that time of night, simply  fell asleep. His wife went into the kitchen with the mother-in-law, as everyone waited to see if John would find the special key.

After about 30 – 45 minutes he radiantly burst into the kitchen displaying the wheel key. He had forgotten to take it off the wheel after he had tightened all the bolts and it had come off as the mountain vehicle manoeuvred one of the curves. But he had found it and he was glowing! He had found what was lost and was thrilled!

Next morning, while we were having breakfast his brother appeared in the kitchen with a very troubled look on his face. He had lost his wallet and had no idea where it was. Worse still was the news that it had a lot of money in it – his salary earnings! So started another search – this time one which we could be involved in as it was light and we all knew what to look for. After about an hour, even though it had so much money in it, the younger brother gave up. Although bitterly disappointed, he flopped down on the sofa and turned his gaze onto the television screen. 

But his mother didn’t. She kept on searching – literally everywhere. And a good job, too, because she actually found the wallet in the most unlikely of place – in the garbage under the sink!! What joy! She was thrilled that he  perseverance had been rewarded with saving such a large amount of money.

As I thought about these two episodes which had happened to the same family in the same time framework, the perseverance of the 2 brothers contrasted itself. The one, who was looking for something which was tiny and in a way less important, against all odds, never gave up. The younger brother, who was looking for something which was very valuable, actually ending up giving-up. Graciously the mother never did and her determination won the day.

The diligence of the elder brother and the mother touches me deeply because I know that this is heart of God for all of us. When Jesus spoke of the Father’s searching in the 3 parables in the Gospel of Luke 15, He was showing us the way God loves and never gives up until he finds what is lost. 

So many times we think that Godi s only interesed in the good and nice people. Actually it’s the opposite.  He’s look for the one who has lost His way. It’s wonderful that He never gives up. 

Dear reader, if you are one of those people who is lost,

please know that Jesus is looking for you. Turn to Him!

                                                           Paul Finch, Pastor