Lost Child

Jim and I lived in the Alaska Bush for many years; during that time, my nephews lived with us off and on for months and years at a time.

Geoff and Darren were wild little guys; they made their own fun and did not have too many rules. One rule was that they would not leave our immediate area without an adult. We lived in the wilderness and had wild animals in our yard relatively often. The boys understood from the time they could walk what to do if they saw various animals, including moose and bears. Our “immediate area” was about three acres, primarily covered in Johnson grass which can grow six feet tall. We had some wooded areas and, of course, our homestead in that little three acres. I felt completely safe and secure in knowing that the boys would not be in danger while playing.

One day the boys were outside playing. Jim was scouting hunting locations, and I watched the boys in between chores. It was getting late afternoon, and Geoff came in from playing. I asked where Darren was because they were always together. Geoff had no idea where his little brother was; they had been playing hide-and-seek. We went outside together and hunted and called for Darren for what seemed like hours. By this time, Jim was home, and it had started to rain, but still no sign of Darren. Thankfully, there was also no sign of bears or other animals.

When they were little, we had a dog team, and like most little boys, Geoff and Darren loved to play with the dogs. I looked in the dog yard and did not see him hiding behind any houses, so I kept looking elsewhere. As the rain fell harder, I noticed all the dogs except one had gone into their houses. Now this particular dog was not the brightest bulb in the pack, so I did not think too much of it until it was clear Darren was not in our three acres.

By this time, the dog was soaked; why I wondered, did he not get out of the rain? I went to the dog yard to coax him into his house, and as I looked inside, I saw Darren curled up in the straw like a puppy, sound asleep.

I woke him up and carried him to the house, rejoicing the whole while. This precious child who had been lost was found! He was hiding from his brother and fell asleep quickly as small children are wont to do. Darren did not hear us calling; he had no idea he had been lost or why we were so happy to see him.

How often are we like that with our Heavenly Father? We do not even realize we are lost or headed in the wrong direction. We do not hear His voice or the voices of others trying to find us or call us out of our wanderings. Yet the angels in heaven rejoice when someone comes to repentance - when they are found (Luke 15:7,10).

Luke 15 gives us several examples of rejoicing when something has been found; a sheep, coin, and son. In each of these parables, the seeker did not stop until that which was lost had been found; neither will God throw His hands up and give up on finding the lost.

If God gives you a burden for someone, do not give up. Pray for directions on how to reach them. Look for opportunities to develop a relationship with that person. It could take a little time; it could take years. The timing is God’s; the relationship is yours. It took maybe an hour to find Darren; it took 25 years for me to realize I was lost and God was seeking me.

Heavenly Father, seeker of the lost

I thank you for never giving up on Your children.

The examples you gave us through Dr. Luke-, 

leaving some behind to find the lost

Looking in the darkest corners

Waiting years for repentance

Are awesome reminders that you are patient, not wanting

Anyone to perish, but all come to know You.

Guide me, Lord, as I continue to seek after You.

In Christ alone, and in Whose name I pray.

Amen