You can’t find it? Well, where did you leave it?

For a brief moment during the flurry of finding a misplaced item, this actually makes sense, and you might stop to consider where you left whatever it is. Of course, if you knew that, it wouldn’t be lost!

I picked up a few things at Wal-Mart while Courtney was at dance. On my short drive across town to pick her up, I realized…my purse was missing! I obviously had it in the store to pay for my items, so where-oh-where did I lose it? With relief and dread, I realized I left it in the cart when I unloaded my bags in to the van. I pictured my exposed purse in an empty cart in a lonely parking lot, just waiting to be picked up by the next passerby.

My mind began to swirl as I turned the van around, knowing I’d now be late to pick up Courtney, grabbed my phone (fortunately it wasn’t in my purse!), called information and waited for someone to answer the phone at the store. Let’s see…what would my first steps be. I was supposed to travel later that week. Good thing I wouldn’t need my passport. I cringed at the thought of paying to replace it, but at least my driver’s license would suffice for this trip. It would be easier to replace. I didn’t have much cash as usual. I’d need to cancel my debit and credit cards immediately. Great. How would I pay for everything while travelling? Good thing I don’t carry the checkbook often.

“Good evening. Thanks for calling Wal-Mart. How can I help you?” I told my sorry tale in one breath and was told the store manager had just started looking through my purse to find a number to call. Apparently, a man turned it in. Whew! I ran into the store and quickly glanced through the contents. Nothing was missing. Unfortunately, the man hadn’t left his name. I had no way of thanking him. I thanked God and hurried out the store to cross town again.

Losing something is disconcerting. So is being lost. Getting as close as you can to the point of loss can help. Or, sometimes the best thing to do is move along.

How do you handle finding misplaced items?

How do you handle when your life seems disoriented?

Consider your life’s GPS (God’s Purposeful Steps). What are you most seeking direction about right now? Write two questions on a sticky note and place it in your car. “Where am I? Where am I going?” Your note will be a reminder to rely on God for all direction and provision.

These things were like a shadow of what was to come. But what is true and real has come and is found in Christ. Colossians 2:17