The past 5 days I’ve had one happy experience after another. It began last Thursday with a flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for 24 hours with Susan, a prayer partner from our church in Illinois. We made the most of our time together, including an hour of prayer while sitting next to her swimming pool in the warm desert sunshine.
After leaving New Mexico, I flew to Colorado, to connect with 7 close friends from our years together at Wheaton College: Junior, Pam, Leslie, Cheryl, Carolyn, LeeAnn, and Julie. We enjoyed school memories, did some sightseeing, and caught up on each other’s families, making sure to lay the groundwork for our next meeting in a couple of years.
I caught a ride to the airport in the “early” car, several hours ahead of my departure time, to connect with Sue (another sister in Christ) at the Denver airport. Our 4 hours together were a lovely grand finale’ to 5 days of memorable re-connections with won- derful women.
There was only one flaw. Somewhere along the way I lost my camera, a trusty tool I’ve used for years to take pictures for this blog, among other things. On Day #2 I emptied my purse and suitcase, carry-on and computer bag, pockets and gift bags, but it was nowhere.
Though I could take pictures with my iPhone, the camera card contained important photo files and was easier to use. But after 4 days of searching, I concluded it must have been in my coat pocket and slipped out during travel. The only thing to do was let it go.
I thought I’d mastered that after our 2009 move from a big house in Illinois to a small one in Michigan, paring down our possessions by two-thirds. But releasing my camera was a letting-go I couldn’t master. What was God trying to teach me?
My “girlfriends” and I joked about my inability to stop looking for (and complaining about) my camera. But one of them said, “Release it into God, and he’ll probably bring it back to you.”
That sounded like, “Let’s make a deal, Lord. I’ll let it go, if you make it reappear.” I couldn’t do that.
Finally, after stewing all the way to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, I surrendered. “Ok, Father,” I said. “I know you want me to let go of my camera, so here and now, I do. It’s gone, and I accept that.” It was a weight lifted.
By the time Louisa and I pulled into our Michigan driveway, I’d completely stopped thinking about it. It had simply been God’s refresher course in holding possessions lightly, a “skill” he wants me to practice regularly.
Several hours later, while kneeling on my bedroom floor pulling things out of my carry-on bag (looking for my phone charger), I gasped as the camera plopped onto the carpet in front of me.
I’d emptied that bag 100% – twice – while searching in Colorado, and it absolutely had not been there.
“You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You.” (2 Samuel 7:22)
Hooray!
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I know you looked thoroughly in your bag, Margaret, so what an amazing story! I am so happy God miraculously gave the camera back to you. I wish I was there when you gasped in seeing it again!
I am so guilty of hanging on to stuff and God has to remind me of what is truly important. These lessons are hard and rewarding at the same time. I’m glad you found your camera. 🙂
Interesting – Harvey and I are downsizing by 2/3 at the moment – what a job! But God has answered us so clearly about out life/change to the Holmstad Retirement Center (Covenant) in Batavia, IL and what a blessing to know this is His plan for our lives.
You are so cute, Margaret! What a blessing that you found and learned the lesson God was teaching you in “The Mystery of the Missing Camera!”
Margaret – So happy you (God) found your camera . God has wonderful surprises for us along our journey. After leaving formal ministry some 28 years ago, we opened a store front mission in an Hispanic community. God answered prayer on many – many occassions – one in particular. Saturday night Michael and I prayed and asked the Lord for $2,000 to pay rent and utilities. We told the Lord we really needed 2,300. Sunday morning after distributing a box of linins someone had bought to the mission, Michael took one last sheet out of the box and asked if one last sheet was needed. As he handed it to the lady ,an envelope fell out and hit the floor. Michael picked it up and found $2,300. in bills. The people had not known about our prayer the night before – but they all rejoiced. Michael immediatly said “we cannot keep this money until we find the owner of this box.” It was traced down and the end result was the mission paid the rent and utilities. We retired about two years ago, but Michael keeps in touch and continues to minister in any way we can. We again say think you for the great time the Green family had in your home one summer many years ago. Judi and Jim were here for dinner a coupla’ nights ago and brought pictures of Graham’s wedding (Julie’s son). Julie looked so beautiful. June
Our God, nothing is too big, too small or impossible for Him. A lesson learned in surrender, patience and God’s perfect timing. Margaret your camera awaits your next trip, thanks be to God for His blessings.
Smiling!
I am just loving this! What a ‘life lesson’ in ‘giving it to God’, hum? Like when we give – whatever – to Him…our life, item, situation we’re in,……He returns it in such phenominal ways!
Glad you got your camera back and had such a wonderful trip visiting friends!