Lost: One New Red Phone Adorned with Gold Duct Tape

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kindgdom that cannot be shaken,

let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."

Hebrew 12:28

Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Yesterday, Nick lost his new red phone decorated with gold duct tape.  Maybe on the bus. Maybe at school. His nonstop stream of texts with his girlfriend just screeched to a halt. Messages from friends near and far are piling up in cyberspace, unanswered.  His phone doubled as his alarm clock, so he was late to school today.  We need him to have a phone for when he's home alone or needs us to pick him up from practices and activities.  A lost phone seems huge at this point in his social life, his finances, and his safety. 

After we looked everywhere and prayed to find it, he said, "Maybe God's telling me I spend too much time on the phone."

Was this God's answer to Nick's unspoken "Why?"  It's a rather mature way to look at the loss, to think and meditate on how God might redeem an inconvenience for good and mold him for better.  Even this morning, when I dropped him off near the office to get a tardy slip, he shrugged and said, "Well, while I'm in the office anyway, I'll check lost and found." 

Nick's learning to look for redemption in his difficulties. Unfortunately (or gratefully?) he'll have many more opportunities to dig deep for this truth and come up stronger. 

Faith reverently thanks God for all things because we know He redeems good from bad, creates something from nothing, finds what's lost, saves what's condemned, offers second chances to failures.  No pat answers or cliched comforts carry us through darkness - only the light of faith that a loving God can and will redeem something good from even the deepest pits. 

Redeemer, increase our faith to trust You to redeem whatever tragedy, problem, or circumstance that tries to eat us alive.  Thank You that because Yours is a purely good character, we can trust You completely.  Thank You for loving us with a working, transforming love - not the shallow love of indulgence.  We beg for ease and comfort - but You know what that lifestyle produces - lazy faith and low character.  You love us too much to leave us as we are.  Your purposes require our refining, so thank You for the pounding and the kiln, as long as we're in Your Hands.

In the Name of Jesus, Who lives in broken temples and resurrects the dead

"My spirit, why are you so sad?

Why are you so upset deep down inside me?

Put your hope in God.

Once again I will have reason to praise Him.

He is my Savior and my God." 

Psalm 42:11

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.

God planned that those he had chosen would become like his Son.

In that way, Christ will be the first and most honored among many brothers.

Romans 8:28-29