Reflect II – A Key Fob & A Red Shoe

Monday we capitalized on the holiday and 70 degree weather to take two of our grandchildren to Kent Island. Terrapin Nature Park has a few beaches on the bay, about a half mile down a sandy trail from the parking lot. Bikes with panniers saves hauling beach gear by foot. Of course, trying to make sure you have all the “stuff” and pack up the panniers while a seven and ten year old are on their bikes anxious to “get to the beach!” strains parent management skills. So as Yvonne headed down the path with the girls I quickly gathered the remaining items and headed off after them. 

We found a spot and started to unpack the bikes when I noticed the pannier’s zippered pocket where I placed the car key fob was open... with no key! Clothes, food, and water for the day were all locked inside the SUV. Somewhere on that half mile sandy trail was our ticket to those supplies as well as transportation home that night. Without it, the rest of that sunny day would be misery, dealing with locksmiths and dealerships and two active children in hopes of returning by nightfall.

Leaving the girls with Yvonne I biked back, scanning the trail. I was desperate enough to discard male pride and approach any group walking the path to ask if they spotted a key fob. I did see a kid’s bright red sneaker, and thought - someone else lost something too. I even hailed down a park ranger in a golf cart driving by. Nothing.

Two thirds down the trail, while asking another group, a young woman with two children caught my eye. She started to hand signal and I realized she was deaf. I attempted to communicate my dilemma when she turned to her stroller and pulled out the sought for key. Oh the overwhelming joy and relief! I’m attempting to express profusive thanks when the boy said - “We were just going back. I lost my sneaker.” The red sneaker! As the boy hand signaled his mom, I raced back to retrieve the sneaker. The reunion of reclaimed key fob and sneaker on that sandy path was a celebration not unlike the woman in the parable who lost her silver coin.

Late that night we returned home and emptied the car of all the day’s paraphernalia. As I was getting ready for sleep I opened my eyeglass case... the glasses weren’t there. One thing to know about ADD people, is they have a place for everything. Do you want to mess with an adult ADD? Just move a given item to a different pocket. The glasses are always in the case!

I set upon a fifteen minute search of car, pockets, house and backpacks. I was giving up and heading upstairs when I went into the bathroom to turn off the fan. There were the eye glasses. How did they get there? Going to sleep I shared with Yvonne how I found the glasses she said - “Wow, you should record this. Two in one day.” To which I replied, “What do you mean two?” She said, “The key fob...?”

I had already forgotten. That hallelujah party I was hosting with ecstatic joy for all God’s mercy to me just eight hours earlier was not even a memory.

Last week I wrote about our need to stop and reflect, encouraging us to take time on Good Friday to attend the Seven Words of Christ service. A number of people shared with me how significant that service was for them. In the words of one “it was the best Good Friday service he ever attended.” I agree. Easter also overflowed with God’s goodness.

Now it’s Wednesday. How do I hold onto words God spoke to my soul Friday when the celebrations of God’s goodness just eight hours previous to a Monday night were forgotten? 

So I thought I’d ask: What do you do to recount the words, the promises and the blessings of God to your life? I’d love if you replied and shared, cause right now I’m feeling like one of the nine healed lepers who kept on walking.