You Are Not Lost!

You know the feeling. You were doing something in one room and then moved to a new room. You intentionally went into the new room to get something, but suddenly you cannot remember what it was you were retrieving in the second room. Were you looking for a box of tree ornaments or was it your reading glasses? You are lost.

Or you did not turn your map device on for your phone or on in your car. You are approaching a familiar intersection, and suddenly what you thought was the right turn to make onto the next street was not clear in your mind any longer. Were you driving to the same house for the holiday party this year or did you miss your turn? You are lost.

Both of these dilemmas have been a part of my life recently. Actually, I have always been directionally challenged. Chris can still remember the streets we drove on in college in multiple states, and the people we met as we traveled. Seriously! That brain of his is a sponge. On the other hand, I will advise you to be cautious if I suggest that you turn right; you should probably turn on you mapping device just to confirm. It will most likely instruct you to turn left. It is a special gift I have that has not changed for my entire life. I am soooo gifted in this area!

One of my greatest fears as a young adult was that I would get lost on some obscure street at night and wish I had just stayed home. I remember getting lost after leaving a girlfriend’s party one evening and having to call my sweet girlfriend who has a fantastic sense of direction to ask for help getting out of the neighborhood. I know it should have been the most easy trip to make back home, but if you knew how many times I passed the same people walking in their neighborhood that night, you would laugh. But I was in tears.

The embarrassment of having to call my friend, knowing that probably every other attendee had no problem getting home made that call even worse. But, I didn’t have a choice. I could not find my way out of there! I was lost.

Have you been there? You may be like Chris or my children who can find their way in a car anywhere. (In fact, their cars could also drive themselves to any location because of the technology available these days!) They really never get lost. But me, and maybe you? Gently stated, there is room for improvement.

I know the anxiety that comes with the fear of being lost can creep silently into other areas of my life. I wonder if I will get lost in the joy and heartache as I live my life without Robert in our home. Will this house be a place where I will feel his incredible presence, or will the memories keep me lost in the hallways where he traveled? Can I know complete peace and no fear when the thoughts of him being lost “somewhere” cloud my mind? I know where he is now. My God’s arms were ready for Robert but, as his mother, I haven’t seen those arms. It’s like when I dropped my children off for daycare or kindergarten, and I needed to see who was going to take their tiny hands and walk with them throughout the day. Would they get lost? Would Robert get lost? Is Robert lost?

All of you who have “lost” a family member or close friend have wondered about these same things … especially you who have been a caregiver for one who is medically dependent and relied upon you for almost every move they made. Those arms. Those roads. Those “streets of gold.” Would Robert get lost?

I have concluded like many of you that I need to trust that God has His eyes on me. I choose to believe that I am not lost — that my every step is ordered of Him, and that God will hold my hand and walk me to where I need to be. He will do the same for you and has done the same for my precious Robert.

I am not lost. You are not lost. He sees you. And I hope you will allow others to see you and help you find your way.

Listening Library: “A Safe Place to Land“ (Sara Bareilles, Live at the Village feat. John Legend)

https://youtu.be/Ht2NCrlghS4

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

A Safe Place to Land

When holding your breath is safer than breathing When letting go is braver than keeping When innocent words turn to lies And you can't hide by closing your eyes

When the pain is all that they offer Like the kiss from the lips of a monster You know the famine so well, but never met the feast When home is the belly of a beast

The ocean is wild and over your head And the boat beneath you is sinking Don't need room for your bags, hope is all that you have So say the Lord's Prayer twice, hold your babies tight Surely someone will reach out a hand And show you a safe place to land

Oh, imagine yourself in a building Up in flames, being told to stand still The window's wide open, this is leap is on faith You don't know who will catch you, but maybe somebody will

The ocean is wild and over your head And the boat beneath you is sinking Don't need room for your bags, hope is all that you have So say the Lord's Prayer twice, hold your babies tight Surely someone will reach out a hand And show you a safe place to land

Be the hand of a hopeful stranger Little scared, but you're strong enough Be the light in the dark of this danger 'Til the sun comes up Be the hand of a hopeful stranger Little scared but you're strong enough Be the light in the dark of this danger 'Til the sun comes up

Be the hand of a hopeful stranger You're scared but you're strong enough Be the light in the dark of this danger 'Til the sun comes up 'Til the sun comes up (Oh) 'Til the sun comes up ('Til the sun) 'Til the sun comes up (Ooh) 'Til the sun ('Til the sun) Comes up

Songwriters: Lori Mckenna / Sara Bareilles

A Safe Place to Land lyrics © Tiny Bear Music, Creative Pulse Music, Maps And Records Music