Found (04/18/2025)

This morning, as I begin my observance of Good Friday, I contemplated the crucifix. And as I stared at the image, it was replaced by another, that of the Good Shepherd, of Christ carrying the lost sheep. And I remembered.

I’d been through this before, but that didn’t mean I was prepared. I felt lost. I felt alone. This time was different. I went to the porch. I sat feeling both full of emotion and fear and without hope. I asked the question, “Why?” And the wind stirred and gently swirled about me. I can’t explain it other than to say I felt seen, I felt saved, I felt loved. And I thought of the scriptures, of the lost sheep. I felt found.

The road ahead wasn’t easy, it involved surgery to remove the cancer and chemo. I lost my hair, I lost my appetite, but I never lost that awareness I’d gained that day on the porch when I felt found.

I believe we all have times in our lives when we stray, when reeling from life steers us off course, when we feel lost and alone. Let us always remember our LORD’s assurance that He loves us, and He will find us because we matter to Him. He is the Good Shepherd. Let us bring that need, that feeling of being alone and unprepared, that fear to the LORD.

Today let us carry the awareness of our LORD’s loving sacrifice for me, for you, for all of humanity. Today let us remember the price the LORD paid for our redemption. And let us also carry the image of the shepherd: John 10 – the Good Shepherd – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Indeed, He did; He gave His life for me, for you, for us all. He gave His life so that we might have life and have it in abundance.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.