Wesley United Methodist Church

Announcements

• Lost Keys

  Monday Musing

  Last week, I dashed to grab my jacket and keys from the hook in the breezeway when I was surprised to find the hook was empty. I checked to see if I had left the keys on the table and maybe left my jacket in the car. Nothing. I searched the house, room by room. Still nothing. I checked the back seat and trunk of the car. Same result. I had an extra set of car keys, so I drove to Hill City assuming I had left them in Hibbing. Throughout the day, I texted friends, the church, and even called a gas station to see if somehow, I had left them there. In the evening, after leaving Hill City, I drove to Hibbing to look in the church and the mystery was still not solved. I re-texted and called the folks I had contacted earlier asking them to check again. Later in the evening, Bingo needed to spend a few minutes in time out for bad behavior. I opened his kennel door, and he scooted in with his tail between his legs. Just as I was locking the door, I noticed something on top of his blanket, similar in color to my jacket. I peered inside and could hardly believe it as I reached in and pulled out my jacket with keys jingling inside a pocket. I was so relieved to not only find both the jacket and keys, but also that Bingo had not chewed or ripped the jacket apart, that I gave him a treat. I assume Bingo found a bit of comfort in the jacket while I was off doing my thing, and he was left all alone.

  Sunday morning in Hill City, we sang "Amazing Grace." I started chuckling when we got to the line, "I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Indeed, the jacket was lost, and now that it was found, I was able to stop fretting and worrying about both the jacket and the keys. On the other hand, I am fairly certain that when I came home on Monday afternoon, I carelessly threw my jacket on the couch rather than hanging it on the hook. Bingo, never missing an opportunity, simply hauled it to his kennel and used it as a pillow. I suspect it brought him some comfort in those hours when I was gone.

  We are just about halfway through our Lenten journey. Next Sunday, we will proclaim another story about being lost and then found, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In this story, as the oldest son complains about the return of his reckless and irresponsible younger brother, we should lean into the joy expressed by the father when he throws a party for the wayward son's return saying, "we must be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is now found." My prayer this week is that in the day-to-day of our lives, we strive to work through those things that cause us worry or keep us separated from each other. Maybe then we can find the same joy I found in Bingo keeping my jacket safe and the same joy the father found in the safe return of his youngest son. In this way, we will be better able to rejoice at the end of our Lenten journey when we celebrate another who some thought was lost, but then appears, Jesus Christ.

  "Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed." John Newton