The Lost Blanket

Well, you’ve heard the stories of the Lost Coin, the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Son (see Luke 15). On Saturday, we experienced the story of the Lost Blanket!

Last week, our family went to annual conference, a gathering of pastors and lay members from each church or charge in the conference. We arrived Wednesday evening and the conference began Thursday morning. While Joleen and I were in conference sessions, the kids spent morning, afternoon, and evening sessions in child care. We picked up the kids for meals and at the conclusion of each day.

The kids already have lots of experience at annual conference. This was Ethan’s sixth annual conference (he turned 6 a week ago), and Sarah’s fourth! This was the easiest year we’ve ever experienced with the kids in child care!

But, the story of the Lost Blanket begins at the conclusion of the final session Saturday afternoon. As we were leaving, I asked Ethan if he had his blanket (the one he’s had as long as we’ve had Ethan). We looked through our stuff. The childcare workers looked through their stuff and there was no sign of the blanket!

Joleen went to look in the main building to check to see if anything was “lost and found.” Amazingly enough, someone who was loading a box truck, transporting equipment back to their respective locations, remembered seeing a blue blanket in one of the boxes of childcare items that goes to storage.

But there was a problem. The box with the blanket was at the front of the truck. So, we went to the Conference Center and waited for stuff to be unloaded. After awhile, the lost blanket was found. There was much rejoicing (even though it delayed our trip home a couple of hours)!

Jesus says …

In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives. (Luke 15.7, CEB).

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