It was late in the afternoon when I arrived home and noticed a small, adorable Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal on a table in our front hallway. Knowing it was not mine, I quickly asked, “Where did this stuffed animal come from?” It had been found lying near our mailbox and clearly lost by a child who we would eventually discover had been searching more than a day for it.
This wasn’t just any stuffed animal; this was the special one that went on adventures and stroller rides. This stuffed animal was well taken care of and was a comfort to the very young owner who cherished it. I made it my mission to reunite them.
This simple story parallels the mission God takes on every day to reunite us together. We find ourselves so lost and hopeless at times and we desperately search for comfort.
When we are lost, may our hope be found in Jesus. May we seek His ways and may the resources He provides help us to reconnect with others and to Him. It is all about taking a step toward doing the next right thing.
The next day, I went online to our neighborhood app and put out a message and picture of this lost stuffed animal. By that evening, I’d found the owner, and Winnie the Pooh was reunited the following day. As the little girl walked away from our house, she held tightly to the stuffed animal she thought was lost forever.
Luke 15:9 expresses, “And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.”
In the parable of the lost coin, Jesus takes a relatable story to ultimately show that everyone has great value and that he feels sad when we lose sight of Him – He waits for us to follow again. The woman is full of joy when she finds her coin and shares the good news with her neighbors and friends.
Likewise, the little girl found joy in knowing her stuffed animal was rescued and back into her loving arms. In this situation, although on the outside seems small, when you break it down, the cherished comfort of this plush toy is the same comfort that we long to receive from Jesus. May we feel His embrace and rejoice with Him.
Our lives are so fast-paced that little moments like this allow us to focus on the seemingly little things that end up bringing forth a valuable reminder. We may lose our way sometimes. But know that God is with you, and He is working behind the scenes to bring you back to Him.
by Deena Nunes
