John and I just got back from our 26th anniversary/Thanksgiving get-a-way. I didn’t realize how hard we have both been working. We needed the break. 

Early the morning of day two of four, we lost a key. One moment we had it and the next moment we didn’t. We retraced steps, checked multiple times with the front desk, rummaged through their lost and found, searched our room, our bags and our vehicle. It was frustrating – we don’t usually lose things. 

But, John recommended that we just forget it while we enjoyed our holiday together. I was impressed that once he said to forget it that he forgot it. It doesn’t surprise me that he follows through when he says he is going to do something; it is just tough for me to do the same. (Those who know me well realize that I am just “a tad” obsessive at times!)

Anyway, forget it we did. 

So, today we were packing to come home and the search began anew. We checked everything and everywhere over and over. I searched both waste cans – no luck. After peering into every corner and drawer and looking behind drapes and furniture I noticed that we had an extra plastic bag. One more time I went to the waste cans and this time I “took apart completely” the trash can we had used for food items – banana skins, grape stems and the like. As I pulled apart bruised and soggy banana peels, I found the key, right in the middle of that nasty mess. 

We celebrated. I even danced a little. It was wonderful!!

What is so funny about this is that I had been a little irritated with the lack of hotel service. We often stay in hotels during holidays and I am used to limited service. But, this place went a little far. Our trash had not been emptied for 3 days. If we had gotten the service that I was expecting, the key would have been thrown out and gone forever. 

In Luke. chapter 15, Jesus tells three stories (parables) about lost things and people. One is about a lady and a coin. 

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:8-10)

I learned some things searching for that key.

• You will find what you are looking for when the time is right. Don’t stop looking but don’t stop living either. 
• Sometimes the very things that are “wrong” around us get us into the right position to find what we have lost. 
• It may be that we have to go through trash more than once to find the treasure we seek. 

As we purpose to “gather together” this holiday season, let’s not get tired of searching for the treasure that can only be found in family, friends or faith. 

Keep seeking, my Friend. 

Love, 

Jill (just one of God’s kids)