Relief

Many years ago, our family went to an amusement park.  

You know, the line-standing, wallet-emptying, happy but crabby, tantrum-filled, sore-feet, exhausted kind of park. 

We stayed until closing and slowly made our way to the shuttle area in the brisk night air, dreaming of our hotel beds and the sounds of silence.  

As we were walking, we came across the sweetest little girl who was lost.

She was so scared and frozen in shock. She didn't know where to go or what to do.

I did my best to console her and keep her calm and distracted her with talks of princesses and stuffed chipmunks while we kept her safe and searched for her Mommy.

All of a sudden, her Mama came running toward us at record speed with fear and desperation in her eyes as tears streamed down her face.

I can still remember her face to this day.

She rushed towards her precious girl, bent down, scooped her up, and embraced her with her entire body and soul.  

We all hugged in a sobbing, grateful mess.

I will never, ever forget that beautiful moment.

I can only think of one word to describe the emotions that filled our hearts as Mom and her baby girl stayed locked in that embrace.

Relief.

Depth of the soul, adrenaline-calming, panic-recovering, relief.

We know that feeling as we have been lost, just like that little girl.

We were making our way through life, safe and sound, when suddenly we found ourselves in the dark.  

Lost.

Alone.

Where did everyone go?  

In the depths of our dark despair, we stood frozen in shock, uncertain of what to do next.

Finally, we got the courage to ask for help. 

At that very moment, help came. We reached up and out, and the angels (family, friends, even strangers) appeared.

They reminded us of how brave and strong we were, kept us safe, and reassured us that everything would be okay.

And then, God came running.

He was joined by a whole gaggle of people desperately seeking us, longing for us to be found and returned home, safe and sound.

God rushed towards us, scooped us up, and embraced us with a love so strong we felt it in every part of our beings.

Relief.

We all hugged in a sobbing, grateful mess.

Don't ever forget that moment, my precious friend.

God has found you, and He is never, EVER going to let you go.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Ezekial 34: 11-12

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness."

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.