One Lost Lego - A Modern Day Parable

One Sunday evening, a young boy and his mom decided to do a craft project that she had found on a website.  It was a liquid soap container with Lego blocks suspended in the soap.  Since her son was such a huge fan of Legos, she knew he would love it.  So, she washed the empty soap container, and he went to gather a hand full of blocks.  He was a little concerned about giving up some of his treasured toys to put in soap, but after seeing the picture again of the final product, he decided it would be worth it.  In the bathroom, the two started assembling the masterpiece… first a few blocks, then some soap.   The boy picked up his next piece to add to the container when it slipped out of his hands and went down the sink drain.  A look of fear came over the boy’s face and then the tears started to flow.  His mom tried to comfort him by saying it was just one Lego piece and that he had plenty more.  However, nothing could console him as he stared down the drain.  So, the mom went and got the boys dad.  His dad crawled under the sink with his tools.  He tugged and pulled, twisted and turned, but the drain would not budge.   

He thought of giving up several times, but every time he saw the look on his son’s face, he tried again.  Finally, he tried another part of the drain and it came apart.  Out popped the small, green, Lego block. Cheering and laughing echoed through the bathroom!  The once lost Lego was now found and the craft could be completed!  

Whether it be a lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7), a lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), a lost son (Luke 15:11-32), or a little lost Lego, God reminds us over and over again that we are all special to him.  He doesn’t want any of us to be lost.  Even though there are billions of other people on this earth, he wants to have a special relationship with each one of us.  

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10 

In His Eyes

I don't know when it happens.  Maybe we can blame Barbie or the models on the front of magazines.  Everywhere around us we are bombarded with images of perfection that make us feel...well...imperfect.  Once we get a little older and more mature, we accept the fact that our hair will never look like we think it should look and most days we're just happy to get a shower.  Once we reach that stage, then we start reading blogs written by those super moms.  You know the ones who get showers, put on make up, do incredible crafts with their kids (who never watch TV or play video games), and make all their meals from scratch.  No offense, super moms!  Suddenly, we are drawn back into that feeling of inadequacy. 

Tonight, when I was putting Kieran to bed, I learned a lesson.  After singing Kieran his lullabies, he looked at me and said, "Mommy, you sing the most beautifully I have ever heard.  You have such a beautiful voice.  I wish you had a show where you could sing so that everyone could hear you.  Everyone needs to hear your beautiful voice.  You're the best mommy in the whole world."  I may not be a super model or even mother of the year, but I know that in his eyes, I'm perfect.  That's all the recognition I need.  

Mommy, I don't know where I live...

Christmas at "our" zoo in Columbia

Well, after about a million miles on the road, we are finally back in Dallas.  I wouldn't say we are totally settled into life here, but it is still good to be back in our "own" space for a little while.  Last week, Elyse came up to me and said, "Mommy, I don't know where I live."  Suddenly, I realized that I was feeling the same way.  Isn't it funny how kids often say the things that we are feeling inside?

As Christians, we should always feel somewhat unsettled here on earth.  Whether we live in the same house or town our whole lives or move around every few months, our true home is in heaven.  We should always keep our focus on pointing others to that heavenly home.  John 14:1-3 says, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

We were so blessed on our travels to be welcomed into many homes.  The love we felt made each home feel like a mansion to us.  So here is a big THANK YOU to everyone who offered us a meal, a bed, or a special "welcome home" smile and hug.  We may not always know where we live physically, but we know we have a special place in your hearts and you will always have a permanent place in ours.

Here are a few pictures from our journey these last couple of months...

Uncle Matthew and Brittany

The McClure Crew

The Driggers Family

The Stubbs Gang

The Gongres

The VanZante Family

The Layman Boys

Christmas with MaMa and Da

Fun with Cousins!

King Triton

The Little Mermaid