Closer than We Realize (08/06/2024)

Yesterday, it was my turn to prepare the entrée for our scripture group. I chose beef stroganoff. I needed the ingredients, however, so I headed to our local market with my list. I had everything except the sour cream. But the market had completely reconfigured their dairy area. It wasn’t where I expected it. I searched in all the places that made sense. I was giving up when an employee came by. “Excuse me,” I said, “Where is the sour cream?” Jess smiled and said, “Turn around.” I did. And right behind me was the sour cream.

Jess and I laughed and shared with one another how often that has happened to each of us, where we’ve searched and searched, and given up, asking for help, only to find out we were closer than we realized. How is it that what we are searching for can be so close and yet we still don’t realize it?

That moment and that realization made me think of so many times in my past when I have sought the LORD and mistakenly thought I was going it alone only to realize the LORD had been with me all along. I simply needed to turn around, to open myself more fully to “conversion” to recognize the LORD’s role in my moments, the LORD’s presence in my life.

Jesus is trustworthy. He promised, “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20). However, as in the search for sour cream, what was needed was a “turning” on my part, a change, a conversion.

As we continue our journeys of faith, buoyed by hope, and fueled by love, let us never tire of searching for Christ in our lives, in our world. Let us be open to turning, to changing, so that we might find Him whom we long for and search for. And may we be open to accepting help along the way from other sojourners whose vision may be surer or whose experience may prove helpful.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.