The Wanderer

“…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

A while back one afternoon, I had got home from an errand and noticed our front door was open! Apparently, I had not shut it all the way when I left.

Fear gripped me unto anxiety as I ran to see if the inevitable happened—our dog got out. We have two dogs. One smart homebody that knows the safety of her home, and one curious, not so smart, adventurous pet that tends to wander off and not remember where her home is. This had happened before when she escaped through an open gate, and after we searched the neighborhood all afternoon, we found her at the humane society the next morning. She spent the night in jail!

Well, this time I searched the streets and went the normal route of our walks and no doggie. I prayed and fretted and decided to check home again. When I rounded the corner of our street, I got a glimpse of her rear side turning into our yard! She remembered where her home was and who loved her. I ran up the hill and embraced her.

This reminded me of the “Parable of the Lost Son” in Luke 15:11-32. We all know prodigals, whether they are our children, close family members, or friends. It’s very sad for us when they wander off into something “seemingly” better. We pray and worry. But with the perspective of the Lord’s heart and His value for each of His children it’s a much deeper pain and ache we can’t even comprehend. If the awful feeling of my dog wandering off and being lost and alone, and in danger of getting hit by a car or taken captive by a mean person, is devastating to me, how much more to our heavenly Father when one of His children wander off.

And what a joy it must be when the “wanderer” remembers where home is!

“…But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

“…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

He seeks out the lost sheep always, and doesn’t stop. Keep praying.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for a glimpse of Your heart with my lost dog. I ache for my lost family members who have wandered off and I know You must ache a thousand times more. I pray for our loved ones who have wandered off, and that they would remember who loves them and where their home is. In Jesus’ Name, amen.