Weeks after I’d misplaced the church key, I was dusting my dresser top while struggling to hold half-a-dozen things. Picking up more items as I pushed the dust cloth along, I accidentally nicked a full glass of water, toppling it. The swoosh was so forceful that the water knocked a dozen pairs of earrings off my decorative dresser tray, across the dresser, and onto the floor—like bowling pins smacked by a heavy ball.

The water flowed under the lamp and splashed over an embroidered makeup case. It soaked a stack of important papers and a clean, folded shirt. One quick move had morphed into a 20 minute clean-up.

Tossing my armload of stuff on the bed, I ran for a bathroom towel, chiding myself for such a blunder. Once the worst of it was mopped up, I spread out a dry Kleenex and began hunting for wet earrings. Three were missing their mates, so I began crawling around on the soggy carpet, feeling for these tiny items. One, then two popped out of the shag, but where was the third? Would I have to squeeze myself beneath the dresser to find it?

Under this particular dresser I store extra packs of wet wipes, the kind used for sticky toddler fingers and messy diapers. With my cheek pressed on the carpet and my arm stretched as far as it would go, I could barely touch them. But one by one, I pushed them aside. When I moved the very last package, there was the third earring—leaning on the church key.

I grabbed that key, scooted out from under the dresser, and clutched it to my heart as if it was the Lord himself. “God! You did it! You showed me!” and I started crying, a mix of astonishment and delight. God Almighty had directly connected with a hapless old woman to give her back what she’d lost.

As I cried there on the wet carpet, both hands protecting the key, I realized again that God is aware of my every need and will meet each one, eventually. He’s on my side and is always willing to help.

After I got hold of myself, the key and I walked to the computer screen and removed the $5.00, putting it in my purse for Sunday’s offering. After all, it was God who directed me to find what was lost, so the reward belonged to him.

I think I know why God put so many stories in the Bible about lost things being found. Though a wave of sparkling joy had surged through me when I saw that key, it probably can’t compare to the joy that surges through him every time a seeking soul finds him.

Jesus said, “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)