The tears were streaming.  You could tell she was scared.

Getting “lost” on the second day of kindergarten at dismissal was not what Karis had in mind that day.  

It also wasn’t what she had in mind the fourth full day of kindergarten either.  

She knows the surroundings–I work there and she spends quite a bit of time up in the hallways, but somehow she was sidetracked and she was “lost”.  

So what about us?  

A question in Genesis 3:9 has always stuck out to me.  It is geared toward Adam and Eve after sinning. The Lord asks, “Where are you?”  He knows where they are, that isn’t the reason why He voiced that, instead it was a way of accountability.  

We need to ask that same question to ourselves about our journey here on earth.  

Where am I?

For some, the journey may not have even began.  Maybe you haven’t chosen to put on Christ and begin a walk with Him.  Please know that we will be honored to search the scriptures with you to see how you can do just that.  A great place to start studying is in the book of Acts–(Here are a few: The Jailer-Acts 16:30-34; Saul’s Conversion in Acts 9, Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8).  

For others, maybe this journey has you going in another direction that isn’t towards our merciful Savior. Karis put her eye on the water fountain one of those days—instead of the line.  It is easy for us to do as well–become sidetracked. Sometimes that can be through being entangled in sin and fleshly desires (Galatians 5). Sometimes it can be through the “busyness” of life.  

I know that I fall short daily, but an area where I tend to struggle with the most resides in the “busyness” of life.  Three children–sports teams–school events–working full-time–a husband whose job requires him to travel some–demands of the home (and several animals)–Honestly, it can be overwhelming sometimes.   “Trying to get everything done” leaves me exhausted and a lot of times feeling like a failure.  

When I find myself at this spot in my journey, it is usually because……

I haven’t made the Important things the IMPORTANT THINGS.  

It leaves me lost.  It leaves me unsettled.  It leaves me feeling disconnected from Him. The things I am doing and may be involved with aren’t necessarily “bad things”–but when my priorities aren’t straight, it is leading me in a direction I don’t need to be headed.  I find myself complacent.  Have I spent time with Him in prayer?  Have I spent time in study?  Have I used the talents bestowed upon me or utilized opportunities given to further His kingdom? 

I had some advice given to me last year about this topic.  Lori Boyd, a wonderful sister I have the privilege to work with daily and worship with at our congregation, shared this with us at the start of school last year; it is revolved around rubber balls and glass balls.  

• Sometimes I may have two loads of laundry needing to be folded that have been thrown on the chair in the bedroom …or maybe I have a middle school son that has been quiet since getting home from school.  Which one of those can “bounce” back? The glass ball is the middle school son. That may be an opportunity to talk out something that is bothering him in his journey. The IMPORTANT THINGS.  
• Sometimes I may be rushing to get stuff ready for the next class and I don’t see that a student is lingering behind maybe needing to talk to someone.  The IMPORTANT THINGS.  
• Sometimes the words “I will pray for you” come out; but then I forget to do it or it doesn’t cross my mind until I see you again.  The IMPORTANT THINGS.
• Sometimes I may think I need that snooze button and 15 minutes more of sleep…or maybe I can use that time to spend in His word, praying for the day.  Being close to Him.  The IMPORTANT THINGS.

“Where are you?”  What would be your answer if the Lord were to ask that of you right now?  

You can probably picture the embrace two of the days this past week of Karis and myself knowing she had no idea where she was but yet being “found.”   Just like the compassionate father in the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15–that is exactly what our merciful Father has ready for each one of us when we decide His ways are better than ours.  Maybe it is starting your journey. Maybe it is throwing off the weight of sin and repenting (leaving the sin and turning toward God). Maybe it is making life less “busy” and making the Important Things the IMPORTANT THINGS.  

His arms are wide open.  Run to Him.  

Anchored in Him,

Leigh Ann