In 1978, my grandmother, turned 80.  Some family members flew to her home in Pennsylvania from California, others drove from Illinois, Delaware, Colorado etc.  and our family drove up from Florida, for a reunion/birthday celebration. I had just given birth to my second son, he was then six weeks old.  The weather was beautiful for the planned outdoor party.

Photos were taken of Nana and five of her six children, then her children with their spouses, then grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Lots of candid shots, the flowers, the freshly mowed yard (she had 5 acres), the smiles, the babies, the cakes, a time of wonderful love and celebration.

Several moves, years later, as my own family grew up and changed, my treasured photos of a wonderful 80^th birthday memory were lost. Reaching out to relatives, no one seemed to have the full set of every photo like I had had.  Searching and searching, boxes, drawers, closets to no avail. Fast forward, last week my photos were found (my daughter-in-law found them back in the corner of a top closet shelf), almost 30 years later.  I lovingly stared at each photo and even shed a few tears for the wonderful memories and the joy of their rediscovery.

Thinking of Jesus’  parable of the lost sheep: this parable is about the one lost sheep. He used the example of a shepherd (God) who has 100 sheep and one goes missing. When one wanders off, the shepherd leaves his 99 sheep to seek out the lost one. It showed that the Kingdom of God is accessible to all, even those who are sinners or strayed from God’s path. This is how God will rejoice when a sinner returns to Him.

If you have lost your way, know that He is waiting for your return with open arms.  God loves us unconditionally and even if we have been lost for thirty years, like my photos, we can again return to Him and be embraced with His mercy and forgiveness. Our loving Father chose us to be His. Follow Him!

Jill