Let us think of those who have been lost and then are found.

The child, feeling lost and without friends in a new church, who is made welcome by new friends in church school.

The youth, lost in feelings of failure, who is encouraged and helped by a caring teacher.

The person, lost in feelings of guilt and fear after hurting someone, who feels found by God and makes amends.

The prisoner, lost in anger and shame, who is befriended by a visitor and finds new hope.

The bully lost in thinking you have to be tough to survive, who is won over by the small child he is babysitting.

The youth, lost in her desire for the latest fashion, who learns that teenage slaves made her shoes and clothes and then changes her buying habits.

The person, lost in racism, hatred and fear, who is won over by the love of the 'enemy' once seen as threatening.

The senior, lost in hopelessness as friend after friend dies, who is encouraged to help in a soup kitchen and finds new purpose in life.

Thank-you God, that you never give up on us and that you empower us to find and be found.

Catherine Pace